UC-NRLF 


SB    Efl 


B  T 
123 
B74 
1892 

MAIN 


REV.    SHERLOCK    BRISTOL. 


PARAGLET0S, 


OR 


THE   BAPTISM   OF    THE   HOLY   GHOST, 

BY- 
REV,  SHERLOCK  BRISTOL, 

AUTHOR    OF 
**  fjTlYf*       3ll|  ^v-w  r»r»**        3ft  •**•  rt  «-v  «*  l-fr  rt**-    ** 


VENTURA  :    OBSERVER  PRINTING  HOUSE. 


FLEMING  H.  REVELL, 

NEW  YORK  :  I  CHICAGO  : 

12  BIBLE  HOUSE,  ASTOR  PLACE.  148  &  150  MADISON  STBEET. 


COPYBIGHTED  BY 

REV.  SHERLOCK  BRISTOL, 

1892. 


OBSERVER  PRINT,  VENTURA,  CAL. 


Tiis 


To  a  class  of  persons,  found  in  all  our  Churches, 
who  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness  and 
who  sigh  after  greater  fruitfulness  in  the  Lord's 
service,  this  volume  is  affectionately  dedicated. 

SHERLOCK  BRISTOL. 

Ventura,  California,  January  1.  1893. 


355344 


COflTEfiTS. 


PAGE. 

PREFACE.    ...'...  5 

INTRODUCTION.    ...'...  9 

CHAPTER. 

I.  Paracletos  Defined.        .  .  .17 

ir.         The  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  under  the  Mo- 
saic Dispensation.  .  ,  .22 

III.  His  Work  under  that  of    Messiah.           .  23 

IV.  The  Pentecostal  Baptism,  an  Object  Lesson.  29 

V.  The  Promised  Baptism,  not  limited  to  Apos- 

tolic Times .....  34 

VI.  The  Personal  Blessings  it  Imparts.         .  52 

VII.  The  Help  it  gives  in  Christian  Work.          .  77 

VIII.  Conditions  of  its  Bestowal.            .           .  87 

IX.  Counterfeits  and  How  Detected.        .           .  105 

X.  How  Retained  and  How  Lost.           .           .  Ill 

XI.  The    Attitude     the    Various    Organizations 

Take  With  Reference  to  It.           .  116 

XII.  Testimonies  of    Eminent  Christians.           .  146 

XIII.  The  Personality   and   Divinity  of    the  Holy 

Spirit.           .....  155 

XIV.  Final  Words  With  Earnest  Seekers.          .  170 
A  PR.VYER.  182 


It  is  said  that  "All  works  of  fiction  are  founded 
upon  facts."  We  believe  this  is  true,  especially  of 
those  which  possess  real  merit.  Their  most  valuable 
thoughts,  cluster  around  experiences  and  observations 
of  the  writers — which  produced  profound  impressions, 
and  prompted  the  production  of  their  books.  Nor  is 
this  true  of  works  of  fiction  alone;  more  than  half 
the  books  in  our  libraries  had  a  similar  ori- 
gin. Could  we  but  know  the  Genesis,  and  follow  step 
by  step  to  the  final  Kevelation,  how  much  additional 
interest  it  would  add  to  the  reading  and  to  the  profit 
of  the  book !  Possibly,  the  reader  of  the  following 
pages  will  ask  for  the  motive  which  has  induced  the 
writer  in  his  advanced  age  to  weary  himself  with  the 
writing  of  a  book  on  this  topic,  with  its  attendant  ex- 
pense, criticism  and  care.  It  may  be  as  well  here  as 
elsewhei  e  in  the  book  to  give  the  reasons. 

1.  A  -promise  made  to  the  Lord — many  years  ago 
— when  in  deep  spiritual  trouble,  that  if  the  Lord 
would  deliver  him,  would  take  his  feet  from  the 
mirey  clay,  set  them  on  a  rock,  and  establish  his  go- 
ings. If  he  would  deliver  him  from  the  power  of 
besetting  sins  and  put  the  song  of  permanent  victory 


6  PREFACE. 

in  his  mouth,  then  he  would  testify  to  others,  the  power 
and  grace  of  the  Great  Deliverer,  and  do  his  utmost  to 
induce  them  to  apply  to  him  for  similar  relief. 

2.  The  study  of   the  Scriptures  has   convinced  him, 
that  there  is  a  power  of   the    Holy    Spirit   held   in   re- 
serve for  Christians,  far  beyond  that  usually  bestowed  in 
conversion,  and  indispensible   to  victory  over  sin    and 
to  their  highest  usefulness.     And  that  for  this    "I  will 
be  inquired  by  the  House  of   Israel  to  do  it  for  them — 
saith  the  Lord." 

3.  Gratitude  to  God  for  the   delightful    experiences 
of   the  past  fifty  years,  and  the  path  growing  brighter 
and  brighter  toward  the   perfect   day,  prompts   to  this 
final  offering  of   a  grateful  heart.      May   the    Glorious 

Giver  accept  it,  small  though  it  be,  like  a  pair  of  tur- 
tle doves  or  two  young  pigeons. 

4.  Another  reason  for  the    writing  of   this   book,  is 
the  desire  to  call  back  the  Church  of    God,  from  its  de- 
pendence upon  its  colleges,  its  seminaries,  its  eloquent 
ministers,  its  learned   Doctors,    its    Sabbath    Schools, 
Missionary  Societies,  and    what   not;   to   dependence  on 
the  Holy  Spirit,  as  the  power  to  be  sought  first,   midst,  and 
last,  and  without  which  all  other  agencies  are  but  brok- 
en reeds !     The  writer  believes  there  has  been  a  fearful 
departure  in  these  latter  days    from   this   primal   and 


PEEFACE.  7 

most  important  fact  of  the  Christian  system.  In  the 
biographical  sketches  of  the  late  Kev.  Chae.  Spurgeon 
—while  the  writers  have  dwelt  upon  his  sterling  com- 
mon sense,  his  mother  wit,  his  natural  talent  for  public 
speaking,  his  eloquence,  his  marvelous  voice,  and  his 
skill  as  an  organizer  and  leader  of  men,  &c.,  they  lave 
scarcely  alluded  to  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which 
rested  on  him,  as  on  Peter,  when  he  pieached  in  the 
Pentecostal  revival !  Alas !  Alas !  that  the  power 
which  wrought  all  his  works  in  him,  as  he  himself  was 
so  prompt  to  confess,  shou  d  have  been  left  out,  ig- 
nored, forgotten  !  Did  he  not,  if  told  of  this  in  Heav- 
en, ask  to  be  allowed  to  rush  back  to  earth,  and  pro- 
test in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  against  a  praise  so  sac- 
rilegious and  so  misplaced?  In  Peter  and  Paul's  daj*, 
they  would  have  said-  "He  being  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  so  spake,  that  great  numbers  both  of  men  and 
of  women  turned  to  the  Lord."  "For  he  was  a  good 
manand/wZ/o/'  the  H)ly  Ghost  and  much  people  were 
added  unto  the  Lord." 

5.  A  final  cause  for  the  presentation  to  the  Chris- 
tian public  of  this  great  matter,  has  been  the  belief 
of  the  writer  that  he  was  prompted  thereto  by  the 
Holy  Spirit.  The  vast  importance  of  the  subject  mat- 
ter will  be  conceded  bv  all.  But  who  is  sufficient  to 


8  PREFACE. 

set  it  forth  ?  In  the  writing  of  the  following  pages, 
the  writer  has  often  been  oppressed  with  a  sense  of 
his  incompetency.  And  not  once  or  twice  only,  has 
paused  in  the  work,  and  looking  to  the  right  hand  and 
the  left,  has  cried  out  0 !  for  some  other,  more  compe- 
tent to  set  forth  this  great  matter  before  the  Churches! 
But  a  gentle  voice  as  often  whispered  encouragingly  in 
his  ears,  the  words  once  spoken  to  Moses,  "Who  made 
man's  mouth  ?  Or  who  rnaketh  the  dumb  or  deaf  ?  Or 
the  seeing  and  the  blind  ?  Have  not  I  the  Lord  ?  Now 
therefore  go  and  I  will  be  with  thy  mouth  and  teach 
thee  what  thou  shalt  say !" 

Christian  reader !  A  great  future  lies  before  you ! 
An  angel  cannot  measure  it,  or  see  its  end !  How  can 
you  lay  its  strong  foundations,  or  place  its  corner 
stones,  except  you  call  on  the  Holy  Ghost  for  help  and 
receive  him  in  fullest  measure  ?  Much  he  has  done  for 
you !  Who  can  tell  how  much  ?  Much  he  is  doing 
still  and  is  yet  to  do  to  carry  out  in  your  case,  his 
plans  of  love  !  And  David  said,  "What  shall  I  render 
unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  towards  me  ?  "  Can 
you  do  less  than  say  with  him,  "I  will  take  the  Cup  of 
Salvation  and  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  ?" 


It  is  a  well  recognized  Christian  doctrine  and  one 
accepted  by  all  evangelical  Churches,  that  the  conver- 
sion of  sinners  is  brought  about  mainly,  through  the 
persuasive  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Earnest 
workers  in  the  Gospel  field,  confronted  everywhere  with 
evidences  of  the  deep  depravity  of  our  race,  and  con- 
scious of  its  power  within,  would  give  up  all  effort  in 
despair,  did  they  not  confidently  anticipate  help  from  on 
high.  And  while  every  human  persuasive  is  brought 
out  and  vigorously  applied,  the  chief  reliance  is  on 
the  aid  expected  from  the  Holy  Spirit.  Jesus  said 
"When  he  the  Spirit  of  truth  is  come,  he  shall  convince 
the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness  and  of  Judgment." 
And  an  Apostle  said,  "No  man  can  say  that  Jesus  is 
the  Christ  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost."  The  Hebrew 
prophets  foresaw  the  nations  of  the  earth  turning  to 
God,  only  after  "The  Spirit  was  poured  out  from  on 
high."  So  established  is  this  doctrine  in  our  Churches, 
that  were  one  of  its  ablest  preachers  to  declare  his  be- 
lief in  his  personal  power  to  convert  a  soul  without 
the  help  referred  to,  they  would  be  shocked  at  his  pre- 
sumption and  turn  from  him  as  a  man  grossly  con- 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

ceited,  and  ignorant  of  the  hold  sin  has  upon  the  hu- 
man heart!  Hence  it  is,  that  in  all  revivals  of  religion 
where  sinners  in  numbers  turn  to  the  Lord,  the 
Churches  are  much  on  their  knees,  looking  upward  and 
praying  for  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  If  it  be 
asked,  whence  this  arrangement  in  the  Divine  plan  of 
a  special  and  personal  work  of  the  Spirit  in  man's  conver- 
sion? one  answer  may  be;  that  the  conversion  of  a 
sinner,  is  a  work  special  and  extraordinary!  It  stands 
by  itself !  No  other  in  our  world  is  like  it  or  ever  will 
be!  It  means  a  restored  fellowship,  joyous,  satisfying 
and  eternal,  between  God  and  his  alienated  and  wan- 
dering child!  To  the  convert  it  means  heart  cleansingj 
and  holiness  perfected,  unending  felicity  and  a  growth 
and  wealth  of  being,  inexpressible  and  illimitable  ! 
Unto  other  finite  beings,  the  companions  of  that  future 
life,  it  means  a  contribution  to  their  blessed  estate,  ever 
increasing  in  volume  and  value !  In  a  matter  so  im- 
portant, God  must  feel  an  interest  larger  than  that  of 
all  finite  beings,  and  fit  it  is  that  he  should  have  a  spe- 
cial hand  in  bringing  about  that  wondrous  change!  How 
could  such  a  being  as  God  is,  stand  aside  and  treat  it 
as  a  matter  of  merely  ordinary  import  ?  The  Parable 
of  the  Prodigal  Son  suggests  what  it  is  fit  a  loving 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

father  should  do  in  such  a  case.  Other  reasons  sug- 
gest themselves,  but  it  is  not  germain  to  the  purpose 
of  this  book  to  state  them  here. 

But  the  measure  of  Divine  influence  employed  in 
the  conversion  of  sinners  and  indispensible  thereto,  is 
not  that  to  which  the  writer  desires  to  call  the  reader's 
attention.  It  is  rather  to  a  much  larger  measure  and 
one  usually  bestowed  subsequent  to  conversion  and  sup- 
plementary to  it.  A  measure  specially  promised  to 
God's  people  under  Messiah's  reign  as  the  great  power 
by  which  the  nations  are  to  be  converted,  Satan's  king- 
dom overthrown,  and  the  millennium  brought  in  ! 

Such  a  gift,  the  writer  has  no  doubt,  has  been  pro- 
vided for  God's  people,  has  been  set  before  them  in  the 
Bible,  and  is  now  lovingly  and  earnestly  urged  upon  their 
acceptance;  nevertheless, like  many  other  heavenly  gifts, 
actually  bestowed,  only,  when  earnestly  sought — 
sought  in  faith,  in  full  hearted  consecration  and  im- 
portiiDate  prayer.  Conditions  not  arbitrary,  but  indis- 
pensible to  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  gift  and  its 
retention.  "This  kind  cometh  not,  but  by  prayer." 

The  ten  day's  prayer  meeting,  held  by  the  Apostles  in 
that  upper  room  in  Jerusalem,  while  they  waited  for 
the  promised  baptism  of  the  spirit,  fairly  represents  to 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

the  writer's  mind,  the  conditions  on  which,  during  the 
centuries  following,  the  great  gift  was  to  be  ordinarily 
bestowed.  And  it  is  his  settled  belief,  that  if  the  ex- 
ample there  set  by  the  Apostles  had  been  followed  in 
its  spirit  by  their  successors,  long  since  this  world  would 
have  been  converted  to  God.  And  even  now,  were  *our 
Churches  to  seek  this  blessing  as  the  Apostles  sought 
it — were  they  occasionally  to  set  apart  special  and  ad- 
equate periods  for  prayer,  confession,  and  seeking  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  believes  revivals  would  fill 
the  land  and  the  world !  The  power  to  work  miracles, 
and  to  speak  with  tongues,  may  have  been  eliminated 
from  among  the  gifts  originally  bestowed.  We  be- 
lieve it  has  been.  But  the  great  essentials  are  still  there 
in  undiminished  measure,  and  offered  on  terms  equally 
liberal  and  compliable.  The  chief  and  essential  ele- 
ments in  this  gift  are  believed  to  be  two.  1st.  personal 
sanctification,  and  2nd,  power  to  impress  others  wit"h 
the  truth.  A  power  in  both  cases  super-human — the 
power  of  the  spirit — -taking-  up  his  residence  in  the 
human  body  and  making  it  his  temple,  and  allying 
himself  with  the  soul  and  aiding  it  in  all  its  warfare 
and  its  work.  Is  there  such  a  power  in  reserve  for 
God's  people?  That  it  has  been  largely  ignored  by 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

our  Churches  for  ages  and  therefore  unemployed  and 
unsought,  is  no  proof  that  it  does,  not  exist.  What 
discoveries  the  last  half  of  the  nineteenth  century  has 
made  of  great  powers  latent  till  now,  and  for  six 
thousand  years  waiting  to  be  discovered  and  applied 
to  human  use !  All  our  Churches  admit  a  power  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  such  as  is  employed  in  the  conversion 
of  sinners,  omnipresent  in  the  Churches,  but  largely 
latent  and  undeveloped,  because  not  sought  and  coop- 
erated with  as  the  Gospel  requires.  Even  so  is  the 
Great  Helper,  present  among  the  Churches,  clothed 
with  powers  like  those  bestowed  at  Pentecost,  and  as 
ready  to  impart  them  now  as  he  was  then.  This  world 
is  fast  filling  up  with  people !  It  approaches  its  end 
in  its  present  form.  Great  promises  and  prophecies 
remain  to  be  fulfilled  !  The  nations  are  to  be  con  - 
verted !  But  they  will  not  be  at  the  present  slow 
rate  of  progress.  That  which  will  bring  it  about 
will  be  a  world-wide  Pentecostal  revival.  A  revival 
sought  by  Christians  all  over  the  world  much  after 
the  Pentecostal  pattern,  and  received,  first  in  sanc- 
tifying power  upon  themselves,  and  then  in  an 
out-going  power  upon  the  nations.  And  when  that 
shall  be,  then  we  shall  begin  to  hear  the  towers  fall, 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

and  the  nations  saying  one  to  another,  "Come  and  let 
us  go  up  to  the  house  of  the  Lord  and  he  will  teach 
us  His  ways  and  we  will  walk  in  His  paths."  In  the  full 
confidence  that  this  great  blessing  is  in  store  for  God's 
people — awaiting  the  asking  and  the  seeking ;  and 
longing  to  see  our  "Zion  awake  and  shake  herself 
from  the  dust,  and  put  ou  her  beautiful  garments"  the 
writer,  now  in  his  78th  year,  and  expecting  to  depart 
on  the  morrow  takes  his  pen  to  write  unto  the  Church- 
es, and  especially  to  his  younger  brethren  in  the  Min- 
istry, his  convictions  on  this  subject.  May  a  hand  un- 
seen guide  his  pen  and  preserve  from  error  that  which 
may  be  written.  No  less  inspire  the  reader  with  long- 
ing desires  to  "  Know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  calling 
and  what  is  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  Christ's  inheri- 
tance in  the  Saints,  and  what  is  the  excelling  greatness 
of  his  power  to  us-ward  who  believe,  acording  to  the 
working  of  his  mighty  power !" 


HYMN.  15 


Lo  /  I  am  with   you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world. 

Matt.  28:  20. 


"Always  with  us,  Always  with  us, 

Words  of  cheer  and  words  of  love ; 
Thus  the  risen  Saviour  whispers, 
From  his  dwelling  place  above. 

With  us  when  we  toil  in  sadness, 
Sowing  much  and  reaping  none; 

Telling  us  that  in  the  future, 
Golden  harvests  shall  be  won. 

With  us  when  the  storm  is  sweeping 
O'er  our  pathway— dark  and  drear; 

Waking  hope  within  our  bosoms, 
Stilling  every  anxious  fear. 

With  us  in  the  lonely  valley, 
When  we  cross  the  Chilling  Stream, 

Lighting  up  the  Steps  to  Glory, 
With  Salvation's  radiant  beam." 


17 


CHAPTER  I. 

"Paracletos"  defined  as  the  Holy-Helper  and  more  than 
"The  Comforter,"  ax  the  word  translated  in  the  English 
Bible. 

Jesus  said  in  John  16:13,  "When  he  the  Spirit  of 
Truth  is  come,  He  shall  guide  you  into  all  truth"  And 
the  fair  inference  from  this  passage  is,  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  his  alliance  with  the  human  soul,  becomes  its 
aid  in  the  acquisition  of  every  specie*  of  useful  knowl- 
edge." "He  will  lead  you  into  all  truth."  Why  not?  Is 
He  not  interested  in  the  entirety  of  our  welfare?  Is 
there  anything  which  affects  our  growth,  our  useful- 
ness, or  our  happiness,  beneath  His  notice  ?  Has  He 
not  numbered  the  hairs  on  our  head  ?  And  has  He  not 
gone  below  us  to  feed  the  sparrows,  and  deck  the  flow- 
ers of  the  field?  We  are  expressly  told  that  He  inspired 
Bezaleel  and  his  fellow-workmen,  with  skill  in  con- 
structing and  decorating  the  Tabernacle  in  the  Wilder- 
ness, and  also,  that  He  called  and  qualified  the  Judges 
of  Israel — who  from  time  to  time  were  raised  up  to 
guide  the  Lord's  people  and  deliver  them  from  their 
enemies.  And  did  He  did  not  go  forth  with  their 
armies  and  help  them  overcome  their  foes*?  Nor  can 


18  PARACLETOS 

we  doubt  that  when  David  invented  his  stringed  in- 
struments for  the  Sanctuary  Service,  the  Holy  Spirit 
as  truly  aided  him  then,  as  when  he  wrote  the  Psalms 
they  were  intended  to  accompany.  Nor  have  we  of 
this  nineteenth  century,  reason  to  doubt  the  influence 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  wonderful  and  almost  miracu- 
lous inventions  and  discoveries  which  have  been  made 
since  its  commencement,  and  especially  during  its  lat- 
ter half.  It  is  as  if  an  unseen  hand  had  touched  the 
springs  of  human  thought  and  inspired"  them  with  an 
activity  unknown  before.  And  that  these  wonderful 
inventions  are  designed  for  a  purpose,  over  yonder,  bet- 
ter >and  grander  than  ever  entered  the  inventor's 
thought!  Solomon  represents  the  Holy  Spirit  (so  we 
think)  as  saying  "I  wisdom  dwell  with  prudence  and 
find  out  the  knowledge  of  witty  inventions,  rejoicing 
in  the  habitable  parts  of  the  earth  ;  and  my  delights  are 
with  the  sous  of  men."  And  is  not  this  variety  in  the 
Holy  Spirit's  work  in  instructing  the  human  soul,  that 
which  is  represented  in  Rev.  12:  6,  as  "the  seven  spirits 

of   God  sent  forth  into  all  the  earth  ?" 
p 

We  are  ^not  therefore  quite  satisfied  with  the  render- 
ing the  translators  gave  in  our  English  Bible  to  the 
Greek,  word.  "Paracletos."  They  translate  it  "the  Com- 


DEFINED.  19 

forter."  But  it  literally  means,  one  "called  upon," 
"kala,"  to  call,  and  "para,"  for  or  upon.  Perhaps  we 
should  say  "The  Called  Upon."  One  who  has  come 
into  our  world  to  help  needy  humanity,  and  stands 
ready,  at  every  human  door,  to  help  those  who  want 
his  assistance  and  ask  for  it.  If,  for  example,  we  are  in 
sorrow,  and  ask  for  sustaining  grace,  and  He  comes 
and  wipes  away  the  tears;  then  He  is  our  Comforter. 
If  in  perplexity,  and  know  not  what  to  do  or  whither 
go,  and  He  takes  our  hand  and  leads  us  out,  then  He  is 
our  Guide.  If  we  are  sorely  tempted  and  feel  our  feet 
sliding  and  call  for  help,  and  He  comes  to  the  rescue 
and  delivers  us  from  our  strong  enemy,  then  He  is  our 
Deliverer,  the  Captain  of  Salvation.  If  as  a  student,  I 
need  stimulus  and  illumination,  to  acquire  the  mental 
discipline  and  knowledge  I  am  in  pursuit  of,  and  He 
comes  to  my  aid,  then  He  is  my  Teacher.  If  I  feel  my 
soul  is  polluted  and  unfitted  for  His  Holy  residence,  and 
I  call  on  him  to  come  and  cast  out  the  unclean  thoughts 
and  desires,  which  like  unclean  spirits  cling  so  fondly 
there,  and  he  comes  and  drives  them  away,  then  He  is 
my  Sanctifier. 

If   the  book  of   God  is   largely   sealed   to    me,    and 
fails  to  give  comfort  as  it   should,   and   He  comes    and 


20  PARACLETOS 

breaks  the  seals,  and  makes  it  luminous,  then  He  is  the 
Interpreter.  In  short,  the  Holy  Spirit  fills  so  many 
offices,  beside  that  of  Comforter,  that  we  prefer  the 
more  general  term  of  Patron  or  Helper,  as  more  fitly  ex- 
pressing the  work  He  does  for  men.  And  yet  a  more 
literal-rendering  still  of  Paracletos,  is,  as  suggested 
above,  that  of  The- Called- Upon.  A  distinguished 
Greek  scholar,  a  learned  Professor  in  a  Theological 
Seminary,  when  asked  to  translate  Paracletos  in  a 
single  word,  replied,  "I  cannot.  It  would  take  a 
dozen  strong  English  words  to  give  the  full  meaning, 
so  extensive  are  the  aids  properly  covered  by  it!" 

It  is  as  if  in  some  city,  there  were  some  one,  so  giv- 
en to  help  all  who  are  in  any  distress,  or  need  of  help 
of  any  kind,  and  so  able  to  help,  and  so  successful  in 
helping,  and  so  absorbed  in  the  work  of  helping,  that 
it  seems  to  constitute  the  only  business  of  his  life. 
Great  multitudes  go  to  him  asking  for  relief  and  not 
one  that  is  worthy  is  sent  empty  away !  Crowds 
throng  the  streets  which  lead  to  his  house  by  day,  and 
many  are  the  applicants  who  call  upon  him  after  the  sun 
has  set — and  some  during  the  small  hours  of  the  coming- 
day;  Yet  unVearied,  he  is  ever  ready  to  hear  the  plea, 
and  rise  and  give  the  worthy  applicant  as  much  as  he 


DEFINED.  21 

shall  need.  At  length  he  comes  to  be  known  as  "The- 
C ailed- Upon !"  Such  is  the  Bible  designation,  of  that 
great  being,  whose  work  in  this  world,  and  especially 
among  Christians,  it  will  be  the  object  of  the  follow- 
ing chapters  to  describe.  "The- Catted- Upon!"  How 
suggestive,  reader,  of  what  you  have  done  a  thousand 
times !  Of  what  millions  more  have  done  and  are  do- 
ing still !  Indeed,  is  there  a  being  on  the  earth  or  has 
there  ever  been,  whose  mind  has  opened  wide  enough 
to  take  in  the  idea  of  God,  but  has  felt  his  brooding 
sympathy  at  times,  has  been  taught  the  better  way,  and 
has  been  helped  by  a  hand  unseen  ?  "Thou  art  the 
confidence  of  All  the  ends  of  the  earth  and  of  them 
that  are  afar  off  upon  the  sea."  So  says  the  Psalmist' 
And  such  we  believe  will  be  the  confession  of  all  our 
race,  when  before  the  throne  in  the  coming  judgment, 
the  nations  kneel  and  confess  before  God  the  facts  and 
experiences  of  life. 

"We  need  thee  every  hour, 

Stay  thou  near  by ; 
Temptations  lose  their  power, 
When  thou  art  nigh  !" 


22  PARACLETOS. 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  Work  of  the  Spirit  under  the  Mosaic  Dispensation. 

In  the  brief  synopsis  of  events  before  the  flood,  we 
read  these  mournful  words:  "And  it  repented  the 
Lord  that  he  had  made  man  on  the  earth  and  it  grieved 
him  at  his  heart.  And  the  Lord  said,  My  Spirit  shall 
not  always  strive  tvith  man  !  And  this  expression  "Strive 
with  man,"  implies  an  earnest  and  persistent  struggle 
on  the  Spirit's  part  to  hold  men  back  from  sin  and  the 
threatened  doom.  A  like  record  is  made  of  his  efforts 
to  save  the  Israelites  on  their  way  to  Canaan,  when  it  is 
said,  "They  rebelled  and  vexed  his  Holy  Spirit."  An- 
other still  and  not  less  strong — in  the  expression, 
"How  can  I  give  thee  up  Ephraim  ?  How  shall  I  deliv- 
er thee  Israel  ?  How  shall  I  make  thee  as  Admah  ? 
How  shall  I  set  thee  as  Zeboim  ?  Mine  heart  is 
turned  within  me,  my  repentings  are  kindled  togeth- 
er !"  This  on  the  one  hand.  On  the  other  we  read  of 
his  successful  work  in  a  multitude  of  instances.  There 
were  Enoch  and  Elijah,  so  sanctified  by  his  power  and 
so  ripened  for  heaven,  that  they  were  not  suffered  to 
see  death,  but  were  translated !  Others  like  Moses, 
David  and  Melchisadek,  become  types  of  the  coming 


WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT.  23 

Messiah !  All  their  great  teachers,  we  are  told,  spoke 
as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  Indeed,  the 
list  of  the  Spirit's  triumphs  in  converting  and  sancti- 
fying men,  while  yet  the  nations  were  groping  and 
feeling  their  way  amid  the  shadows  of  the  old  dispen- 
sation, and  awaiting  the  rise  of  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness, is  too  large  to  be  transcribed  here. 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  under  Messiah's  reign,  and 
•in  wliat  respects  it  differed  from  that  under  Moses. 
1.  In  the  measure  of  Divine  influence  imparted  to  individ- 
uals. The  great  atonement,  by  the  blood  of  the  Mes- 
siah, opened  the  door  for  a  wider  and  richer  display 
of  God's  mercy  and  generosity  towards  sinners. 
God's  government  is  vast!  Countless  are  the  hosts 
which  are  interested  in  it!  It  is  evident  from  the 
Scriptures,  that  beings,  other  than  those  of  the  earth, 
looked  with  wondering  eyes  on  God's  treatment  of  a 
world  of  sinners !  When  the  angels  sinned,  at  onCe  the 
law  was  executed,  an(jl  they  were  cast  out  of  heaven  ! 


24  PARACLETOS. 

But  when  man  had  sinned,  punishment  was  largely 
withheld!  The  judgment  was  delayed,  and  pity  and 
mercy  and  love  combined  to  bring  him  to  repentance  ! 
What  did  it  mean  ?  Was  it  possible  that  the  Great 
Father  and  Governor  was  so  moved  by  sympathy  for 
his  children,  born  in  a  world  where  devils  roamed  and 
tempted  them,  that  he  would  fail  to  stand  by  the  law 
which  had  hitherto  been  held  so  sacred.  And  when 
the  mercy  seat  was  planted  in  the  tabernacle,  and  of- 
ferings made  thereon,  angels  are  represented  as  look- 
ing down  upon  it  and  studying  into  its  meaning !  Paul 
interprets  the  cherubim  above  the  mercy  seat  as  mean- 
ing, "which  things  the  angels  desire  to  look  into." 
But  when  the  Lamb  of  God  condescended  to  human 
incarnation ! — to  humiliation  so  low  !  and  at  last  poured 
out  his  blood  on  the  Altar  of  Sacrifice  !  then  were  the 
seals  of  the  great  mystery  broken !  and  the  Cheru- 
bim above  the  mercy  seat  flew  back  to  heaven  crying, 
Amen !  Amen  !  God  is  just  and  God  is  gracious ! 
And  his  fidelity  to  his  government  can  be  questioned 
nevermore  !  No,  not  if  millions  of  repentant  prodi- 
gals are  forgiven  and  restored  !  And  now  open  wider 
than  ever  the  windows  of  heaven  and  let  richer  show- 
ers than  ever  fall  upon  men  I  If  we  are  asked  to 


WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT.  25 

show  that  larger  measures  of  the  Spirit  are  imparted 
to  persons  since  Jesus  came  than  ever  before,  we  refer 
to  Peter  preaching  after  he  had  received  the  holy  bap- 
tism in  which  3,000  were  converted  in  one  day,  and 
that  in  a  city  notorious  for  its  prejudice  against  Christ 
and  His  disciples  !  In  vain  is  previous  history  searched 
for  a  parallel  with  the  power  which  attended  that  day's 
preaching. 

So  too,  the  Apostle  Paul  stands  head  and  shoulders 
above  the  seers  and  prophets  of  the  Old  Testament 
in  the  marvelous  power  which  attended  his  footsteps, 
while  "from  Jerusalem  round  about  to  Illyricum,  he 
fully  preached  the  Gospel  of  Christ!"  So  of  many 
others,  the  companions  or  successors  of  these  men. 
Baptised  with  the  Holy  Ghost  they  went  every  where 
preaching  the  word,  planting  Churches,  and  leading 
sinners  to  Christ  in  numbers  so  great  that  kings  on 
their  thrones  saw  the  signs  of  the  Son  of  Man  coming- 
in  his  kingdom  with  power  and  great  glory  !  No  sec- 
tion of  earth's  previous  history,  shows  anything  like  a 
similar  endowment  of  Spiritual  .power!  Coming 
down  to  more  modern  times,  we  behold  Wesley  and 
Whitfield,  men  as  entirely  dissimilar  in  mental  traits, 
as  two  men  well  could  be.  Yet  both  filled  with  the 


26  PAEACLETOS. 

Holy  Ghost,  and  each  leading  unto  the  Lord,  in  his 
own  way,  men  and  women  in  numbers  far  beyond  those 
so  led  by  any  of  the  Old  Testament  Prophets,  or  even 
Peter  and  Paul  in  the  new  !  Later  still,  and  even  in 
our  own  times,  men  like  Spurgeon  in  Europe,  and 
Moody  and  Mills  in  America,  astonish  the  world,  by 
the  power  which  attends  them  in  preaching  the  Gos- 
pel. Did  not  Jesus  say,  John  14:12,  "He  that  believeth 
on  me,  the  works  that  I  do  shall  he  do  also,  and  greater' 
works  than  these  shall  he  do,  because  I  go  unto  my  Fath- 
er !"  But  there  is  another  difference  in  the  operations 
of  the  Spirit,  under  the  new  dispensation  which  dis- 
tinguishes it  from  the  old. 

2d.  In  the  enlarged  area  of  his  work.  Under  the 
first  Dispensation,  while  he  was  everywhere  doing  his 
work  among  the  sons  of  men,  leaving  not  a  single  soul 
destitute  of  his  influence,  his  first  and  especial 
work  was  among  the  lost  sheep  of  the  House  of  Israel, 
raising  up  prophets  among  them,  imparting  to  them  a 
special  revelation,  walling  them  in  also  and  separating 
them  trorn  the  nations  by  special  institutions  and  prom- 
ises. But  the  seers  of  the  Old  Testament  clearly  fore- 
saw, this  was  not  always  so  to  be,  They  beheld  in 
Messiah's  day,  the  partition  wall  broken  down,  and 


WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT.  27 

thus  they  prophesied,  "It  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last 
days,  saith  the  Lord,  that  I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit 
upon  all  flesh!"  "It  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days 
that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  estab- 
lished in  the  top  of  the  mountains  and  shall  be  exalted 
above  the  hills,  and  all  nations  shall  flow  unto  it,  and 
many  people  shall  go  and  say,  Come  ye  and  let  us  go  up 
to  the  Mountain  of  the  Lord  to  the  house  of  the  God 
of  Jacob,  and  he  will  teach  us  his  ways  and  we  will 
walk  in  his  paths.  And  he  shall  judge  among  the  na- 
tions and  rebuke  many  peoples  and  they  shall  beat 
their  swords  into  plow  shares  and  their  spears  into 
pruning  hooks,  and  nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword 
against  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more ! 
Passgaes  like  these  abound  in  the  Old  Testament,  and 
they  teach,  what  facts  abundantly  show,  that  on  Mes- 
siah's day,  the  work  and  success  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
would  be  greater  outside  the  Jewish  people,  than  within 
their  borders ! 

3.  Unusual  classes  of  people  receive  the  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  under  the  new  dispensation.  In  the  old, 
his  special  gifts  were  largely  confined  to  the  priest- 
hood, the  seers,  and  the  first-born  in  the  family.  Now, 
all  were  invited  to  share  in  it,  the  sons  and  daughters, 


28  PAEACLETOS. 

the  young  men  and  old  men,  the  servants  and  hand- 
maidens; not  one  is  excluded!  what  ever  their  em- 
ployments, or  social  condition,  the  greatest  of  heaven's 
gifts  is  laid  at  their  door  !  The  language  conveying 
the  gift  is  this,  "I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh, 
and  your  sons  and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy, 
your  young  men  shall  see  visions,  and  your  old  men 
dream  dreams,  and  on  the  servants  and  on  the  hand- 
maidens, will  I  pour  out  my  Spirit,  and  they  shall 
prophesy."  That  is,  they  shall  like  the  ancient  proph- 
ets preach  the  will  of  God,  with  the  manifest  sanction 
of  his  power !  This  precious  truth,  that  every  Chris- 
tian in  Messiah's  day  could  receive  the  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  received  clear  illustration  and  confirma- 
tion in  the  Pentecostal  object  lesson.  In  that  wonder- 
ful outpouriDg  of  the  Spirit,  the  cloven  tongue  as  of 
fire  sat  upoh  each  of  them,  and  they  were  all  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  glorified  God,  as  the  Spirit  gave 
them  utterance ! 


PENTACOSTAL  BAPTISM.  29 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Pentecostal  Baptism,  a  great  object  lesson. 

This  remarkable  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  stands  out 
in  the  Bible,  with  a  prominence,  which  draws  all  eyes 
unto  it !  Nothing  equals  it  in  the  book  of  revelation. 
It  is  a  great  and  startling  object  lesson,  which  Christians 
of  all  subsequent  ages  should  study,  and  in  it  learn  by 
what  great  force,  personal  sanctification  is  to 
be  secured,  and  the  world  converted  to  God.  What 
does  this  object  lesson  teach  ? 

1st.  It  clearly  teaches  that  the  baptism  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  a  great  spiritual  endowment  bestowed  upon 
Christians,  subsequent  to  their  conversion.  In  the  case  of 
many  of  these  who  first  received  it,  it  came  years  after 
their  first  induction  into  the  family  of  God.  Perhaps 
this  is  not  always  so,  but  we  believe  it  is,  usually.  We 
say  "usually"  because  we  have  occasionally  seen  con- 
verts and  heard  of  others  who  received  the  Great  Gift 
simultaneously  with  conversion.  Bat  such  cases  are 
rare.  As  a  rule,  converts  after  their  conversion  have 
a  hard  task  in  the  effort  to  control  their  thoughts, 
passions,  their  speech  and  spirit.  There  is  so  much 
carnality  left,  so  much  of  the  world  and  the  devil  with- 


30  PARACLETOS. 

in,  and  around,  while  the  spiritual  man  is  feeble  and  the 
measure  of  the  Spirit  is  small,  that  they  often  stumble  and 
fall !  And  for  a  time  they  have  a  seventh  chapter  of  Ro- 
mans' experience.  At  length,  like  Israel  in  trouble,  they 
cry  unto  the  Lord  for  help  and  are  delivered.  They  re- 
eive  a  double  portion  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  move  into 
the  8th  chapter  and  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and 
full  of  glory!  There  is  so  much  of  God  in  them  now, 
that  the  devil  flies,  the  flesh  is  subdued  and  the  world 
is  overcome!  I  say  this  is  the  usual  experience.  It 
was  so  in  the  apostles  day.  It  is  so  now.  We  pass 
from  experience  to  Bible  proofs  that  this  view  is  cor- 
rect. The  Apostles  who  received  this  gift  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost  were  Christians  and  had  made  consider- 
able attainments  in  the  Divine  life.  This  is  clear  from 
the  language  which  Christ  uses  concerning  them,  in  that 
memorable  prayer  offered  before  his  apprehension. 
"I  have  given  them  thy  word  and  the  world  hath 
hated  them  because  they  are  not  of  the  world  even  as  I 
am  not  of  the  world.  While  I  was  with  them  I  kept 
them  in  thy  name  and  none  of  them  is  lost  but  the  son 
of  perdition."  "Now  ye  are  clean  but  not  all."  Such 
language  proves  clearly  that  they  were  converted  peo- 
ple. Yet  these  were  the  very  persons,  to  whom  "the 


PENTACOSTAL  BAPTISM.  31 

Spirit  of  Truth,  the  Comforter"  was  promised,  over  and 
over  again  in  that  memorable  after-supper-talk,  as  a 
friend  who  was  yet  to  come  in  fullness  to  their  aid  and 
abide  with  them  forever.  So,  too,  after  his  resurrection, 
and  just  before  his  ascension,  "Being  assembled  with 
them  he  commanded  them  that  they  should  not  depart 
from  Jerusalem,  but  wait  for  the  promise  of  the  Fath- 
er, which  saith  he  ye  have  received  of  n?e.  For  John 
truly  baptized  with  water,  but  ye  shall  be  baptized  with 
the  Holy  Ghost  not  many  days  hence."  And  these  were 
the  men  who  conducted  that  prayer-meeting  of  ten 
day's  continuance  and  held  the  brethren  fast  to  the 
promise,  till  they  were  all  with  one  accord  in  one  place, 
and  upon  whom  on  the  tenth  day  the  Baptism  came, 
and  they  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost!  Thence- 
forth they  were  a  very  different  class  of  men  from 
what  they  were  before !  So  far  as  the  record  goes,  the 
inference  is  strong  that  the  entire  120  in  that  upper 
room,  who  prayed  for  that  baptism  so  long,  were  with- 
out exception,  Christians,  not  less  devout,  than  the  av- 
erage Christian  in  our  modern  churches.  Probably 
far  more  so,  for  it  cost  something  to  be  a  Christian  in 
those  days  of  persecution  and  crucifixion !  And  if 
such  men  needed  the  Holy  Baptism,  shall  the  modern 


32  PAEACLETOS. 

Church  member  be  content  with  conversion  and  say 
"that  is  enough  for  me  !  I  have  been  forgiven — have  a 
hope  and  have  no  need  of  any  higher  or  greater  bless- 
ing !"  Passing  along  a  little  further  in  the  story  of 
the  Apostles  we  read  of  Phillip  going  down  to  Sama- 
ria and  preaching  the  Gospel  and  that  "many  believed 
and  were  baptised  both  men  and  women !  And 
when  the  Apostles  at  Jerusalem  heard  that  Samaria 
had  received  the  word  of  God  they  sent  to  them  Peter 
and  John,  who  when  they  were  come  prayed  for  them 
that  they  might  receive  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  they  laid 
their  hands  on  them,  and  they  received  the  Holy 
Ghost."  What  stronger  proof  do  we  need  that  the  in- 
fluence and  measure  of  the  Spirit  which  brings  about 
conversion,  is  not  oil  that  me  need  and  all  that  is  provided  f 
What  greater  proof  that  the  Baptism  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  is  a  Christian  endowment,  and  far  above  that  re- 
ceived at  conversion.  2.  This  great  object  lesson  teaches 
that  we  must  ourselves  personally  seek  the  gift,  if  we 
would  have  it.  It  came  not  to  the  Apostles  unsought. 
Witness  the  ten  days'  prayer  meeting.  3.  That  all 
classes  can  have  it,  that  all  need  it  whatever  their  lot, 
be  they  servants  or  handmaidens,  old  or  young.  4.  In 
that  object  lesson  we  see  how  God's  people  can 


WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT.  33 

from  weakness  rise  to  power.  The  Holy  Ghost  must 
come  upon  them,  and  then  he  that  is  feeble  among 
them  shall  be  as  David  and  the  house  of  David  as  the 
Angel  of  God.  5.  In  it  we  see  how  Christians  are  to 
be  sanctified.  That  is  lifted  to  a  life  of  steadfast  walk 
with  God  and  victory  over  the  powers  of  sin.  By  the 
reception  within  of  this  large  measure  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Thus  were  sanctified  Peter  and  his  brethren. 
6.  In  it  too  we  see  how  the  nations  are  to  be  convert- 
ed unto  the  Lord.  7.  We  see  also  that  if  the  Church 
would  see  sinners  converted,  it  must  first  of  all  be  bap- 
tized by  the  Holy  Ghost.  So  much  at  least,  this  ob- 
ject lesson  teaches.  We  shall  enlarge  on  these  topics 
in  subsequent  chapters.  We  leave  them  for  the  present. 


34  PAEACLETOS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Pentecostal  Endowment  Permanent  in  its  Essentials. 

Was  the  Pentecostal  endowment  of  the  Spirit  de- 
signed solely  for  the  Apostolic  age,  or  intended  in  its 
substantial  elements  for  the  Christian  Church  down 
through  the  entire  Messianic  ?  Was  the  promise  of 
the  gift  made  to  us  as  well  as  to  the  Apostles  and 
their  brethren?  Is  the  gift  within  our  reach  as  truly 
as  within  theirs  ?  Questions  of  immense  practical  im- 
portance !  They  concern  us  personally.  They  concern 
the  Church  of  God,  and  they  deeply  concern  a  world 
lying  in  wickedness.  If  the  gift  is  for  us,  how  sinful 
to  live  without  it !  If  it  is  only  in  part  for  us,  we  need  to 
know  what  our  portion  is,  and  to  rise  up  and  take 
quick  possession !  It  is  the  settled  belief  of  the  wri- 
ter that  when  the  Holy  Spirit  came  to  take  the  place  of 
the  departed  Jesus,  he  came  to  atride  with  the  Church 
down  through  the  ages,  its  Sauctifier,  its  Inspirer  and 
Helper  in  converting  the  world  to  Christ.  Indeed, 
what  less  can  we  make  of  Christ's  words,  "I  will  pray 
the  Father  and  he  shall  give  you  another  Comforter — 
that  he  may  abide  with  you  forever  !  "  And  when  that 
Comforter  came,  he  came  not  empty  handed,  but  with 


PENTACOSTAL  BAPTISM.  35 

gifts  rich  and  manifold.  Thus  Paul  enumerates  them, 
in  1  Cor.  12  Chap.  "To  one  is  given  the  word  of  wis- 
dom, to  another  knowledge,  to  another  faith,  to  another 
gifts  of  healing,  to  another  miracles,  to  another  proph- 
ecy, to  another  discerning  of  spirits,  to  another  divers 
tongues,  to  another  interpretation  of  tongues  by  the 
same  Spirit."  In  another  place,  Gal.  5:23,  he  tells  us 
"The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long  suffer- 
ing, gentfeness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temper- 
ance." The  sum  of  all  this  long  enumeration  of 
the  gifts  the  Spirit  bestows,  is  that  the  gifts  he  im- 
parts are  as  varied  as  the  wants  of  believers  wrere  at 
that  time,  or  would  be  down  to  the  end  of  time.  And 
if  that  is  so,  it  follows  that  some  of  them  would  be 
specially  adapted  to  their  times,  and  incidental  to  the  in- 
troduction of  the  New  Testament,  its  verification  as  the 
word  of  God,  but  not  needed  after  that  work  was  done, 
and  therefore  subsequently  to  be  withheld.  Such  we 
believe  was  the  power  to  work  miracles,  to  write  in- 
spired books,  to  speak  with  tongues,  and  in  some 
cases  to  forecast  the  future.  We  do  not  see  how  the 
Apostles  could  have  transmitted  to  us  the  Gospels  and 
the  Epistles  as  writings  divinely  inspired,  unless  the 
Holy  Ghost  had  confirmed  them  bv  miracles.  But 


36  PAEACLETOS. 

when  the  word  was  verified  as  Divine,  and  the  world 
had  received  evidence  sufficient  to  convince  honest  and 
earnest  men  that  the  New  Testament  is  God's  Book, 
then  it  was  eminently  fit  that  this  feature  of  the  Baptism 
should  be  withdrawn,  or  eliminated  from  the  gifts  be- 
stowed. For  the  laws  of  nature  as  we  call  them,  are  all 
the  laws  of  God,  they  are  all  very  dear  to  Him,  since  they 
were  enacted  in  infinite  wisdom  and  love,  and  necessary 
for  the  highest  welfare  of  His  children.  If,  therefore,  He 
sets  any  of  them  aside,  it  must  be  temporarily,  and  at 
spaces  few  and  far  between.  And  even  then  only  as  few 
laws  as  possible,  must  feel  the  interference.  The  vast  im- 
portance of  the  verification  of  the  New  Testament,  alone  war- 
ranted and  demanded  the  bestowment  upon  its  writers 
of  miraculous  powers.  But  when  that  end  was  an- 
swered, reason  says  they  should  be  withdrawn,  and 
history  shows  they  were.  But  surely  the  withdrawal 
of  them  did  not  involve  those  other  all  important  gifts 
which  were  needed  still  and  will  be  down  to  the 
enJl  of  time.  We  shall  all  admit  that  the  great  value 
of  the  latter  day  outpouring  of  the  Spirit — the  Pen- 
tecostal Baptism,  lay  in  its  power  to  convert  sinners  and 
sanctify  Christians.  This  done  universally,  or  even  gen- 
erally, the  millennium  will  have  come,  and  the  earth 


PENTACOSTAL  BAPTISM.  37 

will  be  but  a  vestibule  of  heaven  !  But  miracles  have 
very  little  direct  influence  in  bringing  about  either 
sanctification  or  conversion.  Mucnrless  than  the  mass- 
es of  people  think.  Let  us  look  at  a  few  examples. 
The  raising  of  Lazarus  from  the  dead  did  not  convert  the 
Jewish  Sanhedrim,  though  its  members  well  knew  of  its 
occurrence,  they  resisted  its  influence  and  sought  to  kill 
Lazarus  to  put  his  testimony  out  of  the  way  !  Judas  had 
been  an  eye  witness  to  Christ's  miracles  from  the  first, 
yet  they  did  not  change  his  wicked  heart,  but  he  con- 
tinued a  hypocrite  and  a  thief,  and  finally,  betrayed  his 
Lord  for  30  jrieces  of  silver  !  The  officers  and  soldiers, 
who  were  sent  to  apprehend  Jesus,  so  felt  the  stroke 
of  his  power  when  he  advanced  to  meet  them  and  said 
"I  am  he,"  that  "they  went  backward  and  fell  on  the 
ground!"  Yet  they  rose  and  rallied  against  him  !  And 
when  a  few  moments  after,  they  saw  Jesus  heal  with 
a  touch  the  right  ear  of  Malchus,  which  Peter  had 
cut  off,  still,  unchanged  in  heart,  they  proceeded 
to  bind  Jesus  and  lead  him  away  to  Annas  and  Caia- 
phas  for  condemnation  and  crucifixion !  And  when  the 
whole  multitude  uttered  the  hoarse  cry  "crucify !  cruci- 
fy him  !"  Doubtless  their  voices  were  lifted  up 
with  the  rest  and  probably  that  of  Malchus  too. 


38  PAEACLETOS. 

Need  we  go  back  to  Sinai  and  see  the  people  worship- 
ing a  golden  calf,  crying  "theee  be  thy  Gods,  O  !  Israel 
which  led  thee  out  of  Egypt,"  while  yet  the  towering 
mountain  before  them  trembled  at  the  presence  of 
Him,  who  had  but  a  few  days  before,  uttered  with  a 
voice  two  millions  could  hear,  the  ten  commandments? 
Need  we  recur  to  this  as  a  proof  that  in  all  ages  mir- 
acles have  had  no  direct  power  to  convert  and  sanctify 
men,  and  often  very  little  that  is  indirect?  What  a 
startling  example  in  this  line  were  the  people  of  Is- 
rael in  all  their  journey  from  Egypt  to  the  promised 
land  !  Did  they  not  stand  for  half  a  year  in  Goshen 
and  behold  the  ten  dire  plagues  fall  upon  Egypt  ?  Did 
they  not  hear  the  midnight  wail  which  went  up  from 
every  Egyptain  house,  when  the  startled  family  arose 
and  found  their  first  born  dying  or  dead  ?  Did  they 
not  see  the  waters  divide  and  allow  them  to  pass  over 
into  the  Arabian  peninsula  dry  shod,  while  Pharaoh's 
host  was  overwhelmed  and  drowned  ?  And  when  their 
little  store  of  food  was  spent,  were  they  not  for  years 
fed  with  the  manna  which  fell  from  heaven?  But  did  all 
these  and  many  other  miracles,  convert  or  sanctify 
the  multitude  ?  Far,  far  from  it !  They  continued  im- 
penitent; they  rebelled  and  vexed  his  Holy  Spirit  so 


PENTECOSTAL  BAPTISM.  39 

that  "He  sware  in  his  wrath  that  they  should  not  enter 
into  His  rest!"  We  may  add  that  the  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  did  not  always  imply  a  power  to  work 
miracles.  John  was  full  of  the  Spirit.  But  John 
wrought  no  miracles,  nor  is  it  probable  that  one  in  a 
hundred  of  the  Christians  who  received  the  great 
gift  had  the  power  to  work  a  miracle.  Paul  asks, 
with  an  implied  negative,  "Have  all  the  gift  of 
healing?  Do  all  work  miracles !"  And  in  a  discussion 
of  the  comparative  value  of  the  gifts  imparted  by  the 
Spirit,  he  exalts  charity,  or  a  heart  full  of  love  to  God 
and  Man,  as  far  above  all  the  rest.  We  have  dwelt  thus 
long  on  this  feature — the  miraculous  of  the  Pentecost- 
al baptism,  because  many  have  such  exaggerated  views 
of  it  that  when  it  had  answered  its  purpose  of  con- 
firming the  word  and  was  withdrawn  from  the  Church 
they  think  there  was  little  left  worth  seeking,  and  fall 
back  upon  such  Spiritual  endowments,  as  the  Apostles 
had  before  Pentecost,  as  about  all  Christians  can  now 
rationally  expect.  Indeed  a  distinguished  Theological 
Professor  in  a  letter  to  me  on  the  subject  argued  that 
Theological  students  should  not  consider  this  baptism 
an  indispeusible  prerequisite  to  their  going  forth  from 
the  Seminary  to  preach  the  Gospel.  But  that  rather — 


40  PARACLETOS. 

with  the  ordinary  preparation — should  go  forth  under 
the  General  Order,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach 
the  Gospel,"  and  expect  to  receive  occasional  baptisms 
while  about  their  work.  I  give  the  sentiment  of  his 

letter.     But  this  was  not  the  Master's  view  of  it.      The 

\<- 

Apostles  had  spent  three  years  under  his  personal  in- 
structions. They  were  endowed  with  power  to  confirm 
their  words  by  miracles.  They  had  just  spent  forty  days 
with  him,  listening  to  his  words  while  he  spoke  to  them 
"of  the  things  pertaining  to  the  Kingdom  of  God." 
But  in  spite  of  all  that  preparation,  in  his  view,  they 
lacked  a  most  important  preparation.  It  was  richer 
endowment  of  the  Holy  Spirit !  Accordingly  he  bade 
them  seek  and  obtain  it  before  entering  on  the  sacred 
work.  Hear  his  words,  "Tarry  in  Jerusalem  till,  &c." 
Wait  for  the  promise." — Commanded  that  they  should 
not  depart  from  Jerusalem  till  "ye  have  received  the 
promise."  The  repeated  injunctions,  thoroughly  em- 
phasize the'  importance  of  the  Great  Gift.  The  ten 
days  of  prayer  for  it  which  followed  bespeak  its  im- 
portance also  !  Then  followed  the  Gift  itself,  with  its 
astounding  results !  its  effects  on  the  120  who  re- 
ceived it  !  on  the  thousands  converted !  on  the  people 
of  Jerusalem  and  the  devout  men  who  were  gathered 


PENTECOSTAL  BAPTISM.  41 

there  from  every  nation  under  heaven !  Results  well 
worth  those  ten  days  of  waiting  and  of  prayer !  Had 
our  Lord  sent  forth  his  disciples,  as  the  Professor 
whose  sentiments  we  have  quoted  would  send  out  his 
students,  he  would  have  sent  them  to  disaster,  defeat, 
and  discouragement.  Their  past  showed  it.  They 
were  timid  and  weak  and  they  needed  a  great  rein- 
forcement from  on  high  before  they  could  make  an  at- 
tack on  the  entrenchments  of  the  enemy.  We  see  it 
in  our  Church  work.  The  Church  must  be  prepared 
for  a  revival  before  it  can  expect  one.  It  must  take 
the  stumbling  blocks  out  of  the  road.  It  must  be  bap- 
tized with  the  Holy  Ghost  01  it  is  not  fit  to  cooperate 
with  God  in  winning  souls!  "Sow  not  among  thorns!" 
has  been  the  standing  theme  of  such  men  as  Finney, 
and  Avery,  and  Moody,  and  Mills,  and  a  thousand  oth- 
er evangelists.  Why  then  should  not  the  candidates  for 
the  Ministry  desire  and  seek  a  like  preparation — a  bap- 
tism of  the  Spirit,  before  they  enter  on  the  same  great 
work  ? 

But  the  example  of  our  Lord,  in  this  line  seems  more 
striking  still !  He,  our  Great  Exemplar,  did  not  enter 
on  his  work  of  preaching  the  Kingdom  of  God,  till 
he  had  received  in  an  open  and  manifest  form,  the  bap- 


42  PARACLETOS. 

tism  of  the  Holy  Spirit !  "John  bore  record  and  said, 
I  saw  the  Spirit  descending  from  heaven  as  a  dove  and 
it  abode  upon  him."  And  in  his  first  recorded  sermon, 
He  said  "The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,  because  he 
hath  annointed  me  to  preach."  And  if  a  being  exalted 
like  Him,  with  wisdom  and  miraculous  power,  and  of 
life  absolutely  perfect  did  not  think  himself  qualified 
to  preach  the  glad  tidings,  till  first,  specially  endowed 
by  the  Holy  Ghost — if  his  inspired  Apostles  also  must 
have  the  same  great  gift,  what  presumption  in  us  to 
enter  the  work  as  if  qualified  without  it !  Is  it  not 
going  in  the  face  of  the  most  impressive  example,  in  all 
the  Book  of  God  ?  And  why,  let  me  ask,  was  that 
great  example  recorded  and  set  before  us?  Leaving 
these  considerations  we  proceed  to  lay  before  the  read- 
er, other  and  more  direct  arguments  which  we  think 
fully  prove  that  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  in  Pente- 
costal richness,  was  designed  Jor  our  age  not  less  than 
for  the  Apostolic. 

1st.  Because  we  need  it  and  must  have  it  for  personal 
s&nrtificatiw.  By  sanctification  I  mean  establishment 
and  confirmation  in  the  ways  of  God.  A  Seventh 
Chapter  of  Roman's  experience,  so  largely  prevalent 
in  our  Churches,  cries  piteously  towards  heaven  for  an 


PENTECOSTAL  BAPTISM.  43 

endowment  of  Spiritual  power  far  beyond  ^that  re- 
ceived iu  conversion !  That  was  -precious;  a  gift  be- 
yond all  price  !  It  convicted  of  sin,  it  led  to  Christ, 
it  secured  forgiveness.  To  use  a  figure  of  speech,  it 
delivered  us  from  Pharaoh  !  It  led  us  across  the  Red 
Sea,  and  put  a  new  song  in  our  mouth  as  we  stood  on 
the  other  shore  !  But  is  this  all  our  God  has  for  us  ? 
Are  we  to  stay  here  in  this  comparatively  barren  land 
all  our  days  ?  No !  No  !  there  is  a  land  of  Canaan 
over  yonder  richer  far  than  this,  and  itself  a  type  of  a 
still  better  land  beyond.  We  need  not  stay  here  cours- 
ing back  and  forth  in  the  wilderness  of  Sinai,  strug- 
gling with  foes  and  oft  times  with  doubtful  success. 
True,  there  is  distance  and  obstacles  between  us  and 
our  inheritance.  But  Joshua's  and  Caleb's  have  been 
over  there,  and  have  brought  to  our  sight  the  fruits  of 
the  land.  More  over  we  have  a  leader  who  will  con- 
duct us  there,  with  pillar  of  clouds  by  day  and  of  fire 
by  night !  Rise  let  us  go  and  take  quick  possession  ! 
No  careful  reader  of  the  New  Testament  has  failed  to 
see  that  the  Pentecostal  Baptism,  effected  a  great  moral 
and  Spiritual  change  in  the  Apostles  and  their  com- 
panions. They  were  no  more  vacillating,  cowardly,  un- 
believing and  weak.  On  the  other  hand  they  were 


44  PARACLETOS. 

strong  iii  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his  might. 
Hear  them  say  "He  that  is  born  of  God  overcomes  the 
ivorld  /"  "Greater  is  he  that  is  in  you  than  he  that  is 
in  the  world,"  and  "The  weapons  of  our  warfare  are 
not  carnal  but  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling 
clown  of  strongholds  ;  casting  down  imaginations, 
and  every  high  thing  which  exalts  itself  against  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  bringing  into  captivity  every 
thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ !  "Now  thanks  be 
unto  God  who  always  causeth  us  to  triumph  in  Christ." 
k2  Cor.  2 :14.  Indeed,  sanctification,  victory  over  sin,  ho- 
liness, is  all  through  the  Bible  ascribed  to  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Not  that  we  are  inactive  in  the  matter,  but  the 
Great  Agency  is  his.  If  therefore  we  would  be  holy, 
we  must  have  the  Holy  Spirit  come  and  dwell  in  us. 
We  must  have  the  Pentecostal  baptism.  That  which 
sanctified  the  Apostles  can  sanctify  us,  and  nothing 
short  of  it  will  answer  our  turn. 

'2d.  We  need  the  additional  endowment  to  win 
others  to  the  Lord.  Before  the  Apostles  received  it,  they 
had  little  power  as  preachers  and  conveyancers  of 
truth  to  men.  They  were  weak,  they  were  human, 
what  could  they  do  in  a  contest  with  the  depravity  of 
the  human  heart  and  all  the  powers  of  darkness  ? 


PENTACOSTAT,  BAPTISM.  45 

Christ  knew  their  incapacity  but  told  them  they 
should  receive  power  not  many  days  hence;  and  bade 
them  tarry  in  Jerusalem  till  that  power  was  given  in  the 
baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  So.it  is  with  Christians 
in  modern  days,  who  have  to  contend  with  the  same 
great  obstacles;  they  need  and  must  have  the  same 
Great  Helper  working  with  them  and  speaking  through 
them  with  Pentecostal  power.  Since  then  we  need  so 
greatly  this  baptism,  both  for  the  work  within  and  that 
without,  is  not  the  presumption  rational,  that  he  who 
has  done  so  much  else  for  us,  will  do  this  also  ?  Paul 
said,  "My  God  shall  supply  all  you  need,"  and  if  this  is 
not  our  great  necessity,  who  can  tell  us  what  that  ne- 
cessity is  ? 

3d.  The  promises  of  this  great  gift  look  beyond 
Apostolic  days.  Peter  said,  referring  to  it  and  it  alone. 
"The  promise  is  unto  you  and  to  your  children"  This 
means,  even  tying  the  words  down  to  absolute  literal- 
ness,  the  extension  of  the  blessing  to  the  next  genera- 
tion. But  properly  interpreted,  and  according  to  Bible 
usage,  it  means  to  your  descendants.  But  he  adds  "to  all 
that  are  afar  off"  the  fair  construction  is,  afar  off  in 
time,  as  well  as  in  space.  But  lest  we  should  limit  it 
to  that  age,  as  so  many  are  disposed  to  do,  he  adds, 


46  PARACLETOS. 

"Even  to  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call."  This 
settles  the  matter.  It  shows  that  the  offer  of  the  Pen- 
tecostal baptism  is  made  to  all  who  hear  the  Gospel  call, 
in  any  age,  in  any  land,  be  they  Jews  or  Gentiles,  bond 
or  free,  young  or  old,  in  Asia  or  Europe,  or  the  Isles  of 
the  Ocean.  No  matter  when  or  where  they  shall  hear 
the  Gospel's  call,  with  it  also  shall  go  the  offer  of  the  bap- 
tism of  the  Holy  Ghost  !  If  then,  serious  minded  reader, 
the  Lord  our  God  has  sent  his  call  to  you,  to  repent, 
believe  and  be  forgiven,  let  me  ask  you  to  read  and  re- 
flect on  Peter's  assurance,  that  a  further  gift  is  in  store 
for  you  also  such  as  he  and  his  brethren  had  just  re- 
ceived, the  Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost ! 

And  yet  again  hear  the  Master  say,  "I  will  pray  the 
Father  and  he  shall  give  you  another  Comforter,  and 
he  shall  abide  with  you  forever,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth, 
whom  the  world  cannot  receive,  because  it  seeth  him 
not,  neither  knoweth  him.  But  ye  knew  him,  for  he 
dwellcth  with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you  !"  This  passage 
also  I  take  to  mean  that  the  Comforter  whom  the  father 
was  to  send  in  baptismal  power,  did  not  come  on  a 
visit,  brief  and  confined  to  Apostolic  days,  but  to  re- 
main through  the  ages  till  this  world  is  brought  back 
to  God.  His  was  to  be  a  permanent  residence  !  He 
was  "to  abide  with  us  forever  /" 


PENTECOSTAL  BAPTISM.  47 

4.  The  Conversion  of  the  Nations,  foretold  by  the  proph- 
ets as  taking  place  down  the  ages,  far  beyond  Calvary, 
and  hard  by  the  millenium,  clearly  shows  a  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  displayed  on  a  scale  far  beyond 
that  exhibited  at  Pentecost!  Thus  speaks  Isaiah 
in  the  60th  Chapter  of  his  prophecy.  "The  Gen- 
tiles shall  come  to  thy  light,  and  kings  to  the 
brightness  of  thy  rising !  Lift  up  thine  eyes  round 
about  and  see  !  All  they  gather  themselves  together  ! 
they  come  to  thee  !  Thy  sons  shall  come  from  far  and 
thy  daughters  shall  be  nursed  at  thy  side  !  The  abun- 
dance of  the  sea  shall  be  converted  unto  thee,  and  the 
forces  of  the  Gentiles  shall  come  to  thee  !  Thy  gates 
shall  be  open  continually !  they  shall  not  be  shut  day 
nor  night,  that  men  may  bring  unto  thee  the  forces  of 
the  Gentiles,  and  that  their  kings  may  be  bought !"  In 
the  2nd  Chapter  the  same  Prophet  refering  to  this 
same  time,  says  "It  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days, 
that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  estab- 
lished in  the  top  of  the  mountains  and  all  nations  shall 
flow  into  it.  And  many  peoples  shall  go  and  say,  Come 
ye  and  let  us  go  up  to  the  Mountain  of  the  Lord,  to 
the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob;  and  he  will  teach  us 
his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths;  for  out  of 


48  PAEACLETOS. 

Zion  shall  go  forth  the  law,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord 
from  Jerusalem,  and  he  shall  judge  among  the  nations, 
and  shall  rebuke  many  peoples,  and  they  shall  beat 
their  swords  into  plough-shares,  and  their  spears  into 
pruning-hooks,  and  nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword 
against  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more." 
Other  old  testaments  prophets  foresaw  and  described 
in  graphic  verse  the  great  revival  in  which  the  nations 
of  the  earth,  as  with  one  heart  shall  turn  to  the  Lord ! 
Paul  also  speaks  of  "the  fullness  of  the  Gentiles" 
coming  into  the  fold  of  Christ  and  after  that  the  Jew- 
ish nation  coming  too  !  Romans,  11:25. 

That  this  great  revival  has  not  occurred  is  obvious. 
That  it  is  yet  to  occur  is  certain.  The  question  we  pro- 
pose is,  how  is  it  to  be  brought  about  ?  The  obvious  an- 
swer is,  "the  Holy  Ghost  still  abiding  in  the  Churches, 
will  yet  exert  a  power  on  the  Church  and  on  the  na- 
tions, far  beyond  that  which  Peter  witnessed  in  the 
Great  Pentecostal  revival  at  Jerusalem!  Since  this 
latter  brought  to  Christ  only  a  few  thousands,  while 
the  former  is  to  bring  into  the  kingdom,  the  great  na- 
tions of  the  earth  ! 

5th.  Another  argument  which  proves  that  the  Bap- 
tism of  the  Holy  Spirit  belongs  to  our  age,  as  well  as 


PENTACOSTAL  BAPTISM.  49 

to  the  Apostolic,  and  one  which  seems  to  us  unanswer- 
able is  the  commandment  laid  upon  us,  to  be  filled  with 
the  Spirit.  "Be  not  drunk  with  wine,  but  be  filled 
•with  the  Spirit."  This  is  the  Saviour's  voice  to  us,  spoken 
through  his  servant,  Paul.  The  command  implies  the 
ability  as  well  as  the  duty  and  the  privilege.  But  the 
expression  "Filled  with  the  Spirit,"  is  the  equivalent  of 
"Baptised  with  the  Holy  Ghost."  Take  a  few  passages 
like  the  following:  "They  were  fill  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost!"  Acts  2:  4.  "And  they  were  all  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost  and  they  spake,  &c.,"  "That  thou  might- 
est  receive  thy  sight  and  befitted  with  the  Holy  Ghost." 
Acts  9:  17.  I  need  not  quote  other  passages,  since  the 
command  to  be  filled  with  the  Spirit,  means  that  wre 
should  receive  as  large  an  induement  as  our  capaci- 
ties will  allow  or  our  cup  contain.  More  than  this 
Pentecost  did  not  give.  Less  than  this— all  our  limited 
capacities  can  receive  and  use,  will  neither  meet  the 
requirement,  "be  filled  with  the  Spirit,"  or  our  obvious 
duty  and  our  need.  And  should  any  of  our  brethren 
deny  the  immanence  in  the  Church,  of  the  privilege  and 
duty  of  receiving  the  Pentecostal  baptism,  they  will 
surely  admit  tJie  duty  and  privilege  of  being  filled  'with 
the  Hob)  Spirit.  Well,  brethren,  we  will  meet  you 


50  PARACLETOS. 

there,  and  be  content,  if  you  will  inquire  at  God's  al- 
tar, how  large  a  measure  of  the  Spirit  received  is  im- 
plied in  being  filled  with  Him,  and  with  the  further  pur- 
pose not  to  rest  till  that  measure  is  received,  and  you 
are  filled  with  all  the  fullness  of  God,  and  your  cup 
can  contain  no  more ! 

One  more  argument  we  urge  to  show  that  this  great 
induement  belongs  to  us,  equally  with  the  Apostolic 
Church.  It  is  that/ro??i  that  time  till  now,  God  has  been 
raising  up  witnesses  who  have  confessed  the  reception  of 
this  baptism,  and  whose  lives  and  successes  have  shown 
that  they  were  not  mistaken.  We  refer  to  such  emi- 
nent workers  in  the  Church  as  Luther,  Zwingle,  Wes- 
ley, Whitfield,  Finney,  Mills  and  Moody,  who  have  told 
us  how  they  sought  this  blessing,  and  how  they 
received  it.  Conspicuous  among  them  was  John  Wes- 
ley. This  remarkable  man  laid  the  greatest  stress  up- 
on this  gift,  and  even  insisted  that  no  preacher  was 
fitted  for  his  woik,  till  indued  with  special  power 
from  on  high !  He  called  it  the  "full  assurance  of 
faith,"  and  a  conscious  indwelling  of  the  Spirit.  Ac- 
cordidgly  great  numbers  of  Methodist  preachers  were 
led  to  seek  and  receive  the  great  blessing,  and  hence 
the  power  and  unparalleled  growth  of  their  Church. 


PENTACOSTAL  BAPTISM.  51 

Beginning  but  a  little  over  a  century  ago,  preaching 
the  Gospel  to  the  poor,  beside  the  highways  and 
hedges,  without  a  house  of  worship,  a  college  or  sem- 
inary, they  went  forward  converting  sinners,  forming 
classes  of  inquirers  and  converts,  ordaining  class 
leaders,  exhorters,  preachers  and  elders,  often,  and 
generally  uneducated,  but  full  of  faith  and  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  men  in  whose  mouths  burned  the  tongue  of 
fire!  What  has  God  wrought  by  these  obscure  and  feeble 
men,  siace  our  century  began  ?  Long  since  they  shot 
by  all  other  Protestant  denominations  and  left  them 
far  behind,  in  numbers  of  churches,  communicants  and 
hearers!  Whence  this  wonderful  growth?  We  ans- 
wer, the  other  Protestant  bodies  have  depended  large- 
ly on  human  learning,  prestige,  patronage  and 
power,  and  very  little  on  the  Holy  Ghost !  Hence 
tlieir  slow  growth  and  weakness.  But  with  the  Metho- 
dists, the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was  everything, 
hence  their  success  and  in  that  was  the  hiding  of 
their  power. 


52  PAEACLETOS. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Blessings  of  this  Baptism  confers  upon  the  Christian 

personally. 

1st.  It  will  vivify  his  consciousness  of  the  presence  of 
God.  Why  not  ?  Since  in  it  God  says  "  /  will  dwell 
in  them  and  walk  in  them!"  And  this  indwelling  of 
the  Spirit  is  too  great  a  matter  to  escape  a  vivid  con- 
sciousness of  a  new  source  of  life  and  power  within. 
This  consciousness  of  God's  presence,  is  of  great  impor- 
tance in  the  Christain  life.  When  we  have  it  we  are 
strong.  When  it  is  absent  we  are  weak.  God  has  put 
great  stress  upon  it.  Hence  he  has  sought  to  impress 
his  presence  upon  us  by  works  of  artistic  skill,  which 
meet  us  wherever  we  turn,  saying,  "  Lo  !  God  is  here  ! 
behold  his  handiwork  !  "  Prayer  is  largely  an  effort 
on  our  part  to  get  near  to  God,  in  the  sense  of  be- 
coming more  deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  His 
presence  and  love.  But  in  spite  of  both,  a  majority  of 
Christians  complain  of  a  lack  of  this  abiding  sense  of 
the  Divine  presence.  Even  in  closet  prayer,  while  on 
their  knees  they  often  detect  a  foi'getf  ulness  of  God, 
shocking  and  sinful.  How  shall  this  defect  be  reme- 
died? We  reply,  the  remedy  is  found  alone  in  the 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.  53 

baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Jesus  said,  John  14:  16 
and  17,  "I  will  pray  the  Father  and  He  shall  give  you 
another  Comforter,  and  He  shall  abide  with  you  forever, 
even  the  spirit  of  truth,  for  He  dwelleth  with  you  and 
shall  be  in  you!  "  And  His  indwelling  will  give  vivid- 
ness and  constancy  to  our  sense  of  His  presence.  And 
there  is  nothing  like  the  sense  of  God's  presence  and 
power,  to  give  the  Christain  strength,  confidence  and 
peace. 

2d.  This  baptism  removes  all  doubts  of  acceptance. 
John  says  "We  know  that  He  abideth  in  us  by  the 
Spirit  He  hath  given  us."  And  Paul  says,  "  The  Spirit 
itself  beareth  witness  with  our  Spirit,  that  we  are  the 
children  of  God."  With  this  baptism  the  last  doubt 
in  regard  to  that  great  matter  takes  its  final  departure. 
As  well  could  the  Prodigal  Son  have  doubted  his  re- 
conciliation with  his  father,  when  clothed  from  his 
ward-robe,  sitting  at  his  table,  and  music  and  dancing 
filling  all  the  house  with  joy.  This  inward  witness  of 
acceptance,  received  on  shipboard  by  Wesley  returning 
to  England  from  Georgia,  was  the  first  token  of  his  hav- 
ing been  baptised  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

3d.  This  baptism  fills  the  soul  with  love  to  God. 
Many  Christians,  and  perhaps  we  may  sav  all,  before  its 


54  PAEACLETOS. 

% 

reception  are  often  troubled  by  a  conscious  absence  of 
that  love  to  God  which  he  claims,  and  which  they  know 
is  his  proper  due.  They  are  conscious  of  ardent  love 
of  human  beings,  but  alas!  the  barrenness  of  the  heart 
on  the  side  towards  God  !  And  they  mourn  over  it. 
And  they  wonder  how  it  was  that  David,  in  that  far 
back  time,  could  say,  "  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but 
thee,  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  I  desire  beside  thee  !" 
Sometimes,  indeed,  they  are  conscious  of  emotions  of 
love  to  God,  but  they  are  so  far  short  of  what  they 
should  be,  they  derive  little  comfort  therefrom.  But 
when  the  baptism  comes,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  enters 
the  home  of  the  soul,  and  His  train  fills  the  earthly 
temple,  the  things  of  God  and  of  Christ  are  so  pre- 
sented that  the  fountains  of  the  heart  are  opened  and 
love  flows  forth  from  God  into  the  soul  and  ebbs  back 
from  it  to  Him,  and  the  whole  house  is  filled  and 
flooded.  So  it  was  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  so  it 
ever  has  been,  is  now  and  ever  will  be,  where  this 
Great  Gift  is  bestowed.  Other  means  to  awaken  love 
towards  God  in  these  sin-frozen  hearts  of  ours,  it  is 
quite  proper  we  should  use,  but  the  chief  and  only  ef- 
fectual power  which  will  elicit  it  in  fulness,  will  be  the 
power  from  on  high — the  Holy  Ghost.  This  is  Bible 


PERSONAL    BLE'SSINGS.  55 

teaching  and  this  is  experience — an  experience  we  all 
need  and  ail  may  have,  and  one  we  all  shall  have  if  we 
set  our  hearts  upon  it  and  cry  mightily  unto  God  for  it. 
For  there  is  not  one  among  all  His  gifts  He  is  more 
anxious  to  bestow.  "  If  ye,  then,  being  evil,  know  how 
to  give  good  gifts  to  your  children,  how  much  more 
shall  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven  give  the  Holy  Spirit 
to  them  that  ask  Him." 

4th.  It  greatly  quickens  the  conscience  and  en- 
larges the  area  of  apprehension  of  right  and  wrong. 
The  Holy  Spirit  becomes  our  guardian, — an  instant 
prompter  when  sin  and  Satan  draw  nigh.  He  -cannot 
endure  to  have  his  temple  denied — his  ward  taken 
captive  and  led  astray.  Accordingly,  the  baptised  soul 
instantly  sees  the  rightness  or  wrongness  of  a  multi- 
'tude  of  things  not  thought  of  as  such  before.  Said  an 
Apostle,  "  The  aunointing  ye  have  received  abideth  in 
you,  and  ye  need  not  that  any  man  teach  you,  but  as 
that  same  annointing  teacheth  you  of  all  things  and  is 
truth."  And  Jesus  said,  "  False  prophets  should  aiise 
after  Him  and  deceive,  if  it  were  possible,  the  very 
elect."  Implying  extreme  difficulty  in  their  case,  if 
not  absolute  impossibility.  And  that  because  of  an  in- 
ward light  which  would  reveal  to  them  the  wolf — though 


56  PARACLETOS. 

clad  in  the  clothing  of  a  sheep.  There  is  nothing 
which  will  so  effectuall}7  guard  people  from  error  as 
the  entrance  within  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  But  if  we 
discard  Him — the  great  Teacher — and  trust  to  human 
learning,  and  human  reason,  there  is  no  telling  how 
far  we  may  go  astray.  Error  will  spread  in  our 
Churches  in  proportion  as  they  become  destitute  of 
vital  piety  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  No  creeds  can  hold 
them  then,  and  of  what  use  would  it  be  if  they  could? 

5th.  This  baptism  restores  dwarfed  and  distorted 
mental  faculties  to  symmetry  and  ballance  again.  Sin 
has  wrought  sad  distortions  among  the  faculties  of  the 
human  soul.  The  ancient  equilibiium  is  largely  lost. 
Lost  partly  by  inheritance  from  a  wicked  ancestry,  and 
in  part  by  our  own  wicked  conduct.  Men  are  lame, 
halt,  blind,  and  paralized  in  mind  as  well  as  in  body. 
And  when  the  Spirit  undertakes  the  work  of  re-con- 
struction, a  great  work  indeed  is  before  him.  One  is 
a  giant  in  intellect,  but  in  sensibility  a  dwarf. 

In  another  the  sensibility  is  unnaturally  developed 
and  tbe  passion  of  the  moment  carries  all  before  it  I 
In  another  the  will  power  is  abnormally  developed  and 
stubborness  is  characteristic.  In  another  carnality 
reigns  supreme.  But  why  enumerate,  when  scarce  a 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.  57 

man  is  found  who  is  not  conscious  of  some  mental  or 
moral  weakness  which  limits  his  usefulness,  mars  his 
character  and  disturbs  his  peace.  And  the  perfect 
symmetry  of  the  primeval  man  as  lie  came  forth  fresh 
from  the  hand  of  God,  where,  Oh  where  shall  we 
find  it?  Alas!  the  distortions  sin  has  made  !  Thanks 
to  God — the  Holy  Ghost  has  come,  to  restore  the  bal- 
ance and  repair  the  wreck.  Let  me  give  an  example  : 
While  the  writer  was  in  the  Theological  Seminary  he 
had  a  class-mate  who  was  a  specialist  in  mathematics. 
They  were  his  hobby  in  college  and  in  the  seminary  his 
taste  in  that  direction  was  scarcely  diminished.  And 
why  he  studied  Theology,  we,  his  class  mates  could 
scarcely  divine,  save  that  an  aunt  who  paid  his  bills 
desired  it.  I  remember  how  languidly  he  was  wont  to 
come  into  our  prayer  meetings  and  what  an  iceberg  he 
was  while  there.  If  he  took  any  part  it  was  so  formal, 
and  so  cold.  As  we  neared  the  time  of  graduation 
and  licensure,  a  great  revival  occurred,  and  in  it  our 
friend  was  visited  by  the  world's  Gre  it  Healer.  He 
saw  as  never  before,  his  great  defects,  and  prominent 
among  them  this  want  of  sensibility  towards  moral  and 
spiritual  things.  That  part  of  his  nature  was  torpid 
The  old  hymn  expresses  his  state  when  it  says  : 


58  PAEACLETOS. 

• 

The  rocks  can  rend, 

The  earth  can  quake, 

The  mountains  to  their  centre  shake. 
Of  feeling  all  things  show  some  sign, 
But  this  unfeeling  heart  of  mine. 

Others   talked  of   love  but  he  had  none.      The   Bible 
gave  him  no  comfort. 

He  saw  also  that  this  moral  torpor  must  be  removed, 
or  His  ministry  would  be  barren.  He  came  to  believe 
that  the  Holy  Spirit  could  remove  this  defect.  That  it 
was  one  specialty  of  His  mission — to  restore  the  lost 
ballance  sin  had  made,  ancf  repair  the  wreck  the  Devil 
had  wrought.  Earnestly  he  sought  the  assistance  of 
the  Great  Helper  in  this  matter.  Importunately  he 
prayed.  For  nearly  a  week  the  struggle  lasted.  But 
it  ended  in  victory.  A  victory  as  wonderful  to  the 
writer  and  probably  to  the  subject  of  this  spirit-heal- 
ing, as  would  have  been  the  restoration  of  a  paralized 
arm  to  its  normal  condition  and  use.  And  we  doubt 
whether  the  subjects  of  the  Pentecostal  baptism  were, 
on  an  average,  changed  more  than  he.  He  was  filled 
with  the  Spirit.  His  tongue  was  loosed,  and  he  praised 
God  as  the  Spirit  gave  him  utterence.  In  our  prayer 
meetings  he  became,  after  this,  one  of  the  first  to  speak 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.  59 

or  pray,  and  God  gave  him  the  tongue  of  fire.  Often 
his  deep  feeling  quite  choked  his  utterance.  In  the 
years  of  his  subsequent  service  in  the  ministry,  deep- 
feeling  on  his  part,  and  on  that  of  his  hearers,  became 
a  characteristic  of  his  religious  services.  And  so  it 
was  till  he  was  not,  for  God  took  him.  This  example 
was  not  alone  in  that  revival.  Others  in  different  lines 
of  mental  and  moral  derangement  received  like  re- 
storation and  help. 

Allow  us  to  mention  another.  He  was  also  a  Theol- 
ogical student.  In  early  life  he  had  been  a  sailor.  I 
believe  a  mid-ship  man  in  the  Navy.  He  had  visited 
many  ports  of  the  world,  and  like  many  seamen,  had  in- 
dulged in  vices  of  the  lowest  type,  until  his  soul  as  well 
as  his  body  had  become  polluted  almost  beyond  des- 
scription.  In  his  deep  degredation,  the  Spirit  sought  him 
out,  he  was  converted  and  began  a  course  of  studies  for 
the  ministry.  When  I  knew  him  he  had  reached  the 
Theological  Seminary.  But  Oh  !  the  stains  still  left 
behind  in  the  soul,  by  those  sins  of  his  youth.  Oh! 
the  pictures  still  unerased  in  the  chambers  of  imagery. 
How  could  they  be  effaced  ?  In  the  great  revival — the 
Pentecost  in  our  Seminary,  he  came  to  believe  that  the 
Holy  Ghost — coming  to  abide  in  fullness  \\ith  him — 


60  PAEACLETOS. 

could  cleanse  the  temple  and  cast  out  these  loathsome 
pictures.  Earnestly  he  asked  and  the  Spirit  came  and 
cast  out  those  odious  things  and  cleansed  the  Leper. 
Thenceforth  he  became  one  of  the  purest  men  in 
thought,  in  feeling  and  imagination  I  ever  knew.  It 
was  to  him  wonderful !  wonderful !  wonderful !  It 
was  wonderful  to  us  all  who  were  intimate  with  him 
and  to  whom  he  told  in  confidence,  what  great  things 
the  Lord  had  done  for  him.  He  preached  many  years, 
but  has  gone  to  his  home  and  has  doubtless  realized 
the  truth  of  Christ's  words,  "  Blessed  are  the  pure  in 
heart,  for  they  shall  see  God.  "  A  Theological  Prof- 
essor who  was  very  intimate  with  this  man,  said  to  me : 
"  He  was  so  thoroughly  cleansed  from  his  former  foul- 
ness of  thought  that  I  came  to  regard  him  as  the  pur- 
est minded  man  I  ever  knew.  "  Brethren,  may  the 
Holy  Spirit  reveal  to  each  of  us  our  sad  defects  and  the 
changes  needful  to  give  us  symmetry  in  mental  and 
moral  traits.  And  in  seeking  restoration  of  the  lost 
balance,  may  we  not,  by  unbelief  limit  the  Holy  one 
of  Israel.  Is  it  too  much  to  ask  the  Great  Deliverer  to 
do  for  us  a  thing  so  great  ?  Paul  says  of  him  :  "  He 
is  able  to  do  for  ns  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  we 
can  ask  or  even  think ! " 


PERSONAL    BLESSINGS.  61 

6th.  This  baptism  of  the  Spirit  is  indispemible  to  an 
appreciation  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures.  The  2d  Chapter 
of  2d  Cor.  is  almost  wholly  devoted  to  an  elaboration 
of  this  truth.  In  it  Paul  says,  "For  what  man  know- 
eth  the  things  of  a  man,  save  the  Spirit  of  Man  which 
is  in  him  ?  Even  so  the  things  of  God  knoweth  no 
man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God.  Now  we  have  received,  not 
the  Spirit  of  the  world,  but  the  Spirit  which  is  of  God, 
that  we  may  know  the  things  which  are  freely  given  us 
of  God.  The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness  to  him, 
neither  can  he  know  them,  for  they  are  Spiritually  dis- 
cerned." 

The  Holy  Spirit  is  the  world's  Great  Teacher.  And 
while  He  instructs  his  pupils  in  all  kinds  of  knowledge, 
His  especial  and  most  loved  work  is  within  moral  and 
Spiritual  lines.  Why  should  it  not  be  ?  Since  there 
are  laid  the  eternal  foundations  of  character,  of 
growth,  of  usefulness  and  happiness.  And  there  our 
need  of  an  instructor  is  great,  not  alone  because  of  the 
superior  importance  of  these  things,  but  because  of 
the  error,  and  darkness  and  depravity,  which  Sin  and 
Satan  have  brought  into  our  world.  We  know  it,  we 
all  know  it,  and  feel  it  at  times  and  cry  out  for  some 


G2  PARACLETOS. 

one  to  lead  the  blind  by  a  way  they  know  not.  Then 
comes  the  Holy  Helper,  and  offers  us  His  hand.  But 
what  if  we  thrust  Him  away  and  proudly  trust  to  the 
rush-light  of  human  reason  to  guide  us  in  these  great 
matters,  as  the  irreligious  scientists  and  unbaptised 
teachers  of  Theology  in  Germany  and  Amer- 
ica have  done  and  are  doing?  What,  but  that 
our  feet  stumble  on  the  dark  mountains,  and 
while  we  look  for  light  he  turns  it  into  the  shadow  of 
death  and  makes  it  gross  darkness.  This  need  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  dwelling  in  us,  to  enable  us  to  understand 
and  appreciate  the  Scriptures,  is  witnessed  by  human 
experience.  There  are  millions  of  people  who  will 
testify,  that  before  conversion  the  book  of  God  had 
little  interest  to  them,  but  after  conversion  became  the 
book  above  all  others,  filled  with  interest  and  precious 
truth.  And  the  more  we  have  of  the  Spirit's  light,  the 
more  golden  its  pages,  and  the  richer  its  mines  of 
truth.  Therefore  it  is  that  to  appreciate  this  Book  of 
books  we  must  have  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Knowledge  of  the  ancient  languages,  of  Hebrew, 
Greek,  Latin  and  German,  can  never  take  its  place. 
No  more  can  the  lore  of  the  library  or  the  discipline 
of  the  schools.  Give  a  man  all  these  and  base  them 


PERSONAL    BLESSINGS.  63 

on  superior  natural  parts,  and  he  will  be  a  child  in  the 
knowledge  of  God's  word  compared  with  men  filled 
with  the  Spirit,  like  Finney,  Moody  and  Spurgeon- 
Standing,  therefore,  in  the  light  of  God's  Word,  and  of 
human  experience  as  well,  we  declare  no  man  fitted  to 
preach  tha  Gospel,  or  to  interpret  it  to  others,  until  he 
has  received  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Did  not 
Christ  assume  this  when  he  bade  the  disciples  not  to  go 
out  to  preach  till  they  received  it,  and  when  he  said  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  "  When  He,  the  Spirit  of  Truth  is 
come  He  will  lead  you  into  all  truth." 

And  ivhen  the  Spirit  did  come  what  a  wonderful  en- 
lightenment the  minds  of  Peter  and  his  fellow-disci- 
ples received,  in  regard  to  the  teachings  of  the  Bible. 
Yet  how  largely  is  this  Divine  qualification  to  preach 
or  teach  theology,  ignored  in  our  Churches.  For  ex- 
ample, when  our  Churches,  especially  the  larger  ones 
and  the  most  wealthy,  want  a  minister,  they  usually 
look  for  a  man  learned,  eloquent  and  attractive.  One 
who  is  orthodox  according  to  the  standards  of  their 
denomination,  one  who  has  pleasing  manners,  and  will 
be  likely  to  fill  their  house  of  worship,  and  reduce  to  a 
minimum  the  financial  burden.  The  ordinary  piety, 
such  as  is  deemed  necessary  to  Church  membership,  of 


64  PAEACLETOS. 

course,  is  required.  But  the  question,  has  he  received 
the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit  since  he  believed,  is  never 
asked,  or  deemed  of  any  special  importance.  His  views 
regarding  water  baptism  and  its  proper  subjects  are 
often  closely  questioned.  But  the  baptism  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  or  his  views  regarding  that,  is  passed  over  as  of 
no  account. 

So  when  we  are  looking  for  a  man  to  fill  a  chair  in  a 
Theological  Seminary,  we  inquire  after  some  one 
learned  in  the  theological  lore  of  America,  and  Eng- 
land, and  Germany;  one  who  understands  the  ancient 
languages,  has  fair  qualities  as  a  lecturer  or  teacher, 
and  the  ordinary  reputation  for  piety  and  orthodoxy* 
Satisfied  on  these  points  he  is  inducted  into  his  office 
as  one  fully  qualified  for  his  place.  When  !  Oh  !  when 
is  the  question  asked,  what  he  knows  about  this  baptism 
personally,  and  when  is  the  question  asked  even  as  to 
his  views  of  the  matter  ?  So  when  candidates  for  li- 
cense or  ordination  come  before  eclesiastical  bodies, 
who  ever  heard  of  their  being  asked,  "Have  you  re- 
ceived the  Holy  Ghost  since  ye  believed?"  No.  A 
hundred  other  questions,  not  a  tenth  part  as  important 
are  asked  and  discussed,  but  that  one  left  out  entirely. 
But  should  it  happen  to  be  asked,  and  were  the  candi- 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.  65 

dates  to  reply  that  they  knew  nothing  of  such  bap- 
tism, where  is  there  the  council,  which  like  the  Master 
would  remand  them  to  the  Seminary,  till  imbued  with 
power  from  on  high  ?  True  it  is,  we  lay  our  hands  on 
them  according  to  the  ancient  custom.  But  what  does 
it  mean?  Do  we  expect  them  through  us  to  receive 
the  holy  baptism,  as  the  Apostles  did  when  they  laid 
their  hands  On  the  converts  in  Samaria  and  elsewhere  ? 
No,  this  is  not  the  expectation  of  the  candidates,  or 
of  those  who  thus  set  them  apart  to  their  work. 
What  is  it  but  a  form  whose  ancient  power  has  long 
since  departed  ?  Alas  !  How  can  those  who  never  re- 
ceived this  gift  impart  it  to  others  ?  "Such  as  I  have 
give  I  thee,"  is  all  we  can  do  or  say. 

7th.  Another  result  of  this  baptism  is  the  sanctifi- 
cation  of  the  body.  By  this  we  mean  a  subjugation  of 
the  passions,  virtually  constant  and  complete.  "  He  is 
the  saviour  of  the  body.  "  In  this  baptism  the  Spirit  en- 
ters the  body  and  makes  it  his  temple  in  a  special  and 
larger  sense  than  ever  before.  Henceforth  he  is  to  be 
consulted  as  to  its  use  and  is  to  be  appealed  unto  for 
help  in  the  government  of  its  impulses  and  passions. 
And  while  he  will  never  interfere  with  the  divinely  es- 
tablished supremacy  of  the  will,  He  nevertheless  as- 


66  PAEACLETOS. 

sists  it  in  bringing  them  into  subjection  to  the  Divine 
will.  This  is  indeed  a  great  victory,  the  conquest  over 
the  carnal  appetites  and  their  subjection  to  the  rules 
of  conscience  and  duty.  The  power  of  the  carnal 
forces  know  all  men,  especially  those  who  have  made 
a  serious  effort  to  bring  them  under.  This  is  most 
graphically  portrayed  in  the  seventh  chapter  of  Ro- 
mans, ending  in  the  despairing  cry,  "  Oh  !  wretched 
man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of 
this  death?"  But  when  the  Holy  Spirit  enters  in 
force  and  takes  a  part  in  the  conflict,  the  flesh 
weakens  and  the  Spirit  triumphs,  and  the  freed  soul 
says  with  Paul,  "  I  keep  my  body  under,  "  and  "  thanks 
be  to  God  who  giveth  us  the  victory.  "  Aud  since  that 
day  unnumbered  witnesses  have  risen  up  and  testified 
to  the  power  of  the  indwelling  Spirit,  to  give  a  victory 
over  the  flesh,  they  had  never  found  feasible  before. 

8th.  Another  blessing  which  comes  with  this  gift,  is 
the  sanctification  of  the  soul  and  all  its  wonderful  fac- 
ulties. Because  the  Spirit  invests  it  and  them  with 
influences  which  work  to  conform  them  to  the  Christ- 
like  pattern  and  as  Paul  says,  "  Brings  into  captivity 
every  thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ.  "  Bad  as  is 
the  work  of  sin  and  Satan  in  the  body,  it  is  worse  in 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.   '  67 

the  soul.  What  a  nest  of  foul  things  is  there  !  "What 
rebellion,  what  hatred,  what  envy,  pride  and  malice ! 
How  filled  with  unbelief,  murmuring,  ingratitude, 
selfishness  and  lust.  The  intellect  imbruted  !  the  will 
enslaved !  The  conscience  seared  !  The  imagination 
roving  uncurbed  among  scenes  of  corruption  and  sin! 
The  sensibilities  clinging  to  things  unworthy  and  re- 
jecting God  and  all  things  holy  "  And  God  saw  that 
the  iniquity  of  man  was  great  upon  the  earth  and  that 
every  imagination  of  the  thoughts  of  his  heart  was 
evil  and  only  evil  continually  !  "  To  remedy  such  a 
condition  of  the  human  soul  demands  a  baptism  of 
the  Spirit,  rich  Pentecostal  and  persistent.  And  no- 
thing else  will  ever  do  it. 

9th.  There  is  nothing  like  the  Baptism  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  give  a  man  dauntless  courage  in  declaring  God's 
truth  and  standing*  by  the  right  in  the  face  of  opposi- 
tion no  matter  how  great,  how  relentless  and  cruel ! 
If  God  is  in  the  soul,  enthroned  there  in  this  baptism, 
why  should  the  man  be  afraid  ?  David  said, 
"Though  an  host  should  encamp  against  me  my  heart 
shall  not  fear.  Though  war  should  rise  against  me, 
in  this  will  I  be  confident."  The  Apostles  before  the 
baptism  were  cowardl}7  like  other  men,  but  no  sooner 


68  -  PAEACLETOS. 

did  they  receive  this  great  gift,  than  they  preached 
the  word  with  all  boldness — a  boldness  that  astonished 
the  multitude  and  so  cowed  the  rulers  and  the  priest- 
hood that  when  they  apprehended  them,  they  did  it 
carefully  and  "  without  violence.  "  So  onward,  where- 
ever  they  went  preaching  Christ  and  his  Gospel,  op- 
position and  cruelty  had  no  terrors  to  these  men,  for 
the  Holy  Ghost  was  in  them.  Had  not  Jesus  told 
them,  "  When  brought  before  kings  and  magistrates — 
take  no  thought  what  ye  shall  say  for  it  is  not  ye 
that  speak,  but  the  Holy  Ghost  that  speaketh  in  you  ?  " 
In  the  great  anti-slavery  agitation  which  occurred 
during  the  half  century  before  the  Civil  War,  how 
cowardly  the  conduct  of  a  vast  majority  of  the  minis- 
ters and  church  members  in  the  slave  States  !  How 
fearful  about  saying  a  word  against  the  slavery  which 
surrounded  them,  albeit  like  Wesley,  they  knew  it  to 
be  "  The  sum  of  all  the  villainies  !  " 

And  the  ministers  and  Church  members  of  the 
North  were  scarcely  less  timid  than  they.  Alas  !  the 
record  of  cowardice  these  men  have  left  be- 
hind !  Who  of  them  but  is  ashamed  today  of  the 
record  then  made?  Had  these  men  been  baptised 
with  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  were  Peter  and  John  at  Pente- 


PEESONAL   BLESSINGS.  69 

cost,  they  would  have  seen  with  clear  vision  the  gigan- 
tic sinfulness  of  slavery  ;  they  would  have  held  it  up 
in  all  its  hideousness,  before  its  patrons  and  their  rab- 
ble following,  and  God  would  have  been  with  them, 
and  have  given  power  to  their  words.  Possibly  a  few 
of  them  might  have  been  martyred.  But  not  many. 
The  hanging  of  500  ministers  in  the  South  by  pro- 
slavery  mobs  and  politicians,  would  have  aroused  in  all 
the  South  a  power  of  conscience  and  sympathy  with 
their  martyred  ministers,  against  which  the  nullifiers 
and  nabobs  of  the  South  could  not  have  stood  up  for 
an  hour.  If  ten  men  of  God  could  have  saved  Sodom, 
five  hundred  such  men  could  have  saved  the  South  ; 
saved  us  the  horrors  of  the  war,  its  carnage  of  500,000 
men,  and  its  vast  financial  and  moral  losses.  Indeed, 
slavery  could  never  have  gotten  a  foothold  in  America, 
had  its  preachers  fought  it  with  unflinching  courage. 
But  the  ten  men  were  not  in  Sodom,  nor  the  500  in 
all  the  South.  A  like  want  of  courage,  in  the  ministry 
and  Church  in  the  matter  of  temperance,  is  today  mak- 
ing a  like  record  for  men  and  devils  to  sneer  at  half  a 
century  hence.  O  !  for  the  courage  and  faith  which 
says,  "God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present 
help  in  trouble  !  therefore  we  will  not  fear  tho'  the 


70  PARACLETOS. 

earth  be  removed !  though  the  mountains  be  carried 
into  the  midst  of  the  sea !  tho'  the  waters  thereof 
roar  and  be  troubled,  and  the  mountains  shake  with 
the  swelling  thereof !"  O  !  for  a  seeking  of  such  cour- 
age as  Peter  sought  and  found  in  the  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost!  Alas!  the  moral  cowardice  which  so 
largely  pervades  our  pulpits,  and  annually  comes  forth 
from  our  seminaries.  Once  fill  these  men  with  a  sense 
of  the  Infinite  God  in  them,  and  Peter's  and  Paul's 
courage  would  instantly  leap  into  the  saddle  all  along 
the  line,  the  hosts  of  heaven  would  join  them,  and 
victory  and  conquest  be  wide-spread  and  speedy. 

10th.  The  baptism  of  the  Spirit  imparts  a  new 
unction  and  power  in  prayer.  I  have  known  Chri  stains 
and  even  ministers,  whose  prayers  seemed  forced  and 
formal,  an  official  service  they  must  needs  go  through, 
in  obedience  to  the  demands  of  custom,  and  one  which 
was  neither  blessed  to  themselves  or  others.  Some 
foHow  a  round  of  topics,  with  little  variation  from  year 
to  year.  Others  supply  the  want  of  spontaneity  an  d 
the  spirits  promptings,  by  the  use  of  a  book  of  prayers 
written  a  century  ago  and  abounding  in  antique  and 
sonorous  phrases. 

Others  there  are,  who  hasten  to  the  mercy  seat,  as  if 


PERSONAL   BLESSINGS.  71 

a  great  attraction  drew  them  there!  They  love  to  pray 
and  it  is  with  a  special  unction  that  they  sing,  "  Sweet 
hour  of  prayer !  sweet  hour  of  prayer!"  They  have 
joy  and  liberty  in  prayer.  Nor  they  alone !  Others 
are  uplifted  thereby  !  Often  more  than  by  the  sermon 
which  preceds  or  follows.  I  have  heard  people  say, 
"  That  prayer  was  the  best  of  all  the  service  to-day  !  " 
Oh  !  the  value  of  these  prayers  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  bring  people  into  the  Audience  Chamber  of  God  ! 
No  preacher  is  fit  for  its  most  important  work  unless 
he  knows  what  it  is  to  "  pray  in  the  Holy  Ghost  "  and 
have  the  Spirit  help  his  infirmities.  No  doubt  Peter 
and  John  and  James  and  the  rest  could  pray  with  an 
unction  after  the  baptism  they  never  had  before.  Even 
so  it  is  today.  In  nearly  all  our  Churches  there  are 
men  and  women  of  limited  education  and  slow  of 
speech,  everywhere  else,  save  at  the  mercy  seat. 
There  the  tongue  is  loosed  and  with  remarkable  ability 
and  propriety,  they  pour  forth  their  wants  and  those  of 
the  people  before  God.  What  propriety  of  expression  ! 
and  often  a  wealth  of  imagery,  not  their  own  but  evi- 
dently of  God.  But  more  startling  still  is  the  power 
which  attends  the  prayer.  We  are  told  of  the  dying 
master  whose  pampered  pastor  had  tried  in  vain  to 


72  PAEACLETOS. 

help  him  in  bis  dying  struggle,  who  sent  to  the  field 
for  the  slave,  "  Tom,"  to  come  and  pray  for  him.  When 
Tom  came  in,  hat  in  hand,  barefoot  and  covered  with 
sweat  and  dust,  the  dying  master  grasped  his  hand  like 
a  drowingman  and  said,  "Tom  your  master  is  a  great 
sinner.  God  won't  hear  his  cry  for  mercy.  But  I 
have  stood  outside  your  cabin  and  heard  you  pray  and 
I  felt  that  God  was  hearing  you.  Can  you  pray  for 
your  dying  master?  And  how  the  aged  field  hand 
Tom  bowed  and  talked  with  God  and  how  the  Holy 
Ghost  came  down  and  brought  salvation  to  the  d}Ting 
man.  Finney  in  his  auto-Biography,  often  speaks  of 
"  Father  Nash "  an  old  man  who  attended  the  great 
revival  meetings  in  Western  New  York,  whose  prayers 
carried  with  them  results  wonderful,  Divine.  The 
prayers  of  John  Knox  have  a  world  wide  fame.  Such 
prayers  are  among  the  gifts  imparted  in  the  Pentecostal 
baptism.  No  Christain  should  rest  until  he  knows 
what  it  is  to  pray  in  the  Hohr  Ghost. 

llth.  this  after  conversion  induement  confirms  ux 
in  the  way  of  holiness.  This  is  Bible  testimony  and 
experience  also.  Says  Paul  in  Eph.  1 :  13,  "  In  whom 
(Christ)  after  ye  believed  ye  were  sealed  with  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  promise.  "  The  holy  Spirit  of  promise  refers 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.  73 

to  the  promised  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  inaugurated 
at  Pentecost.  He  came  "  after  they  believed  "  and  His 
coming  sealed  them  for  God's  service  and  kingdom 
In  another  letter,  that  to  the  Corinthians,  2d  Cor.  1 :  22, 
He  says,  "Now  he  that  established  us  with  you  in  Christ, 
and  hath  annointed  us  is  God,  Who  also  hath  sealed  us 
and  given  us  the  earnest  of  the  Spirit  in  our  hearts. " 
In  this  he  tells  us,  that  not  alone  does  that  Gift  of  the 
Spirit  seal,  or  confirm  us  as  Children  of  God,  but 
brings  us  a  foretaste  of  the  heavenly  life.  This  sealing 
is  signally  set  forth  in  the  case  of  the  Apostles  and 
those  who  received  its  first  installment.  Vacillating, 
weak  and  easily  turned  aside  before,  now  they  move 
off  before  us  with  a  strength  of  purpose  and  firmness 
of  step,  which  shows  the  strengthening  and  healing 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  as  it  was  with  them 
so  it  has  been  with  thousands  since,  who  have  sought 
for  and  received  the  same  blessing.  And  if  we  desire 
this  sealing,  this  confirmation  in  God's  service,  we 
must  seek  it  in  the  Holy  Baptism  administered  by  that 
Great  High  Priest  who  alone  baptises  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  with  fire. 

1 2th.     Finally  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  creating 
and  maintaining  a    high  degree   of    spirituality  in   our 


74  PARACLETOS. 

Churches,  alone  will  keep  them  from  gross  departures 
from  the  standards  of  Orthodoxy,  the  Bible  and  true 
religion.  The  spiritual  man  believes  the  Bible.  It  is 
luminous  to  him.  The  Holy  Ghost  has  made  it  so.  All 
its  doctrines  just  fit  his  nature  and  wants.  It  furnishes 
spiritual  food  as  plainly  from  heaven,  as  the  manna  that 
sustained  Israel  for  forty  years.  He  needs  the  Bible 
revelation  of  a  heavenly  Father's  love  and  care.  He 
needs  and  must  have  Jesus,  the  God-man  as  his  re- 
deemer, and  he  cannot  live  without  the  Holy  Spirit 
resident  in  his  very  bod}^  sanctifying  it  and  helping  him 
to  control  its  turbulent  passions,  and  his  language  is, 
"  How  sweet  are  thy  words  to  my  taste  sweeter  than 
the  honey  and  the  honey  comb.  "  Once  let  him  become 
cold  in  his  love  and  remiss  in  duty,  and  skepticism 
begins  to  creep  in  insidiously  and  gain  larger  and  lar- 
ger place,  till  at  last  seven  devils  more  wicked  than 
the  first  enter  in  and  take  possession  of  the  house  where 
once  an  Orthodox  life  and  unwavering  faith  walked 
hand  in  hand  lovingly  toward  heaven  Confessions  of 
faith,  ir^n-clad  creeds,  never  yet  kept  a  denomination 
or  a  Church,  or  an  individual  from  wandering  from 
the  great  standard  of  truth  and  falling  into  heresies 
absurd  and  fatal.  But  let  the  Holy  Ghost  enter  an 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.  75 

Apostate  Church  or  a  skeptics  heart  and  how  swift  the 
return  to  the  path  of  truth  and  the  obvious  teachings 
of  God's  holy  word. 

Illustrations  of  this  abound  in  the  history  of  nearly 
all  our  revivals  of  religion.  We  will  give  one  out  of 
a  thousand  which  could  be  given.  A  Unitarian  law- 
yer of  eminence,  called  upon  Mr.  Finney  while  en- 
gaged in  revival  labors  in  Rochester,  New  York,  and 
proposed  to  discuss  with  him  the  question  of  our 
Lord's  Divinity.  Mr.  Finney  said  I  will  do  so,  provided, 
you  will  kneel  down  with  me  and  pledge  yourself  to 
the  Lord,  that  from  this  time  on  you  will  follow  the 
light" so  fast  as  He  reveals  it.  The  lawyer  was  angry, 
and  denounced  the  evangelist  as  cowardly  and  ungen- 
tlemanly.  A  legal  friend  suggested  that  Mr.  Finney's 
request  was  rational,  for  said  he,  "Of  what  use  would 
it  be  for  him  to  spend  his  valuable  time  in  communi- 
cating further  truth  to  a  man,  who  don't  follow  the 
light  he  now  has,  and  will  not  promise  to  follow  the 
further  light  which  may  dawn  upon  him.  "  I  think  it 
was  the  Judge  at  whose  bar  he  was  wont  to  plead  who 
said  this.  After  some  days  of  struggle  between  his 
pride  of  opinion  and  position  on  one  side,  and  his  con- 
science and  the  Spirit  on  the  other,  the  lawyer  entered 


76  PAEACLETOS. 

his  office,  barred  the  door,  and  on  his  knees  surren- 
dered himself  to  the  leadings  of  conscience  and  the 
Holy  Spirit.  And  then,  the  sight  of  sinfulness  and 
guilt  immeasurable,  a  lif elon  g  alienation  from  God,  a 
rejection  of  infinite  claims  arose  in  gigantic  propor- 
tions before  him.  Could  such  a  sinner  as  he  be  par- 
doned ?  And  then  he  saw  that  the  Jesus  of  Unitari- 
anism  was  not  enough  for  him.  He  needed  the  God- 
man  to  meet  a  case  like  his,  and  when  he  had  found 
him,  he  rushed  into  the  evangelist's  room  and  said, 
"Now  I  know  that  Jesus  is  Divine,  for  none  but  an  in- 
finite Savior  could  atone  for  such  sins  as  mine.  "  "Who- 
ever shall  do  my  will  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine, 
whether  it  be  of  God."  Brethren,  solicitous  about  the 
orthodoxy  of  the  Church,  behold  its  great  Conservator. 
It  is  the  Holy  Ghost ;  the  Spirit  of  Truth.  Once  in 
the  soul,  the  letter  will  not  long  be  wanting  there. 


AIDING   THE   WOEKER.  77 


CHAPTER  VII. 

How  this  great  blessing  adds  to  our  ability  to  do  good  to 
others. 

The  personal  blessings  we  have  been  considering 
imparted  in  the  holy  baptism,  cannot  be  con- 
fined to  ourselves.  The  candle  lighted  from 
heaven  refuses  to  be  hid  under  a  bushel.  It  shines  on 
ail  around.  Each  of  the  personal  gifts  enumerated  in 
the  foregoing  chapter  has  its  outgoing  influence 
adopted  to  bless  as  many  as  it  shall  reach.  But  there 
are  certain  other  advantages  it  gives  to  Christians  and 
ministers  of  the  Gospel,  to  which  we  desire  to  call 
special  attention. 

1st.  The  recipient  of  this  blessing  will  know  how  to 
lead  others  up  into  it.  In  all  our  churches  there  are 
men  and  women  hungry  for  this  higher  blessing. 
Their  pastor  should  be  to  them  a  Joshua  or  a  Caleb, 
who  has  been  over  into  the  promised  land  and  therefore 
knows  the  way  and  can  lead  them  there.  And  sadly 
lacking  is  the  pre  icher  who  has  no  experience  in  this 
line,  having  only  received  the  first  installment  of 
spiritual  power — that  which  accompanies  the  ordinary 


78  PAEACLETOS. 

conversion.  In  this  matter  he  is  a  blind  guide.  And 
when  his  people  come  to  him  and  ask  him  about  the 
higher  heights  of  Christain  experience,  he  is  obliged  to 
say,  "  I  know  nothing  of  them,  I  have  not  been  there.  " 
I  a  in  reminded  of  a.  clergyman  who  under  great  dis- 
tress of  mind,  because  of  his  spiritual  weakness  and 
carnality,  his  leanness  within  and  barrenness  without, 
went  to  the  President  of  a  noted  Theological  Seminary 
for  counsel.  He  opened  his  heart  to  the  President, 
who  asked  him,  after  all,  if  he  regarded  himself  as  a 
Christain  ?  And  when  our  friend  replied  in  the  affir- 
mative, he  closed  the  interview  by  saying,  "  We  here 
have  come  to  regard  the  ordinary  Christain  as  a  pretty  good 
thing. "  As  the  inquiring  minister  left  the  President's 
study,  he  asked  himself,  "  Is  this  poor  pittance  which  I 
enjoy,  all  the  rich  Gospel  was  designed  to  give  ?  "  and 
he  came  back  and  told  me  the  story,  a  discouraged  and 
almost  broken  hearted  man.  Brother-  preacher,  when 
your  hungry  flock  come  to  you  with  like  questions,  must 
you  for  want  of  experience  answer  them  in  like 
manner  ?  And  "  when  they  ask  for  bread,  give  them  a 
stone.  " 

2d.     As  a  rule  also  it  will   give    him    a    fertility    of 
speech,  an  aptness  of  illustration,  and  a  power   in   ap- 


AIDING   THE   WORKER.  79 

peal,  which  he  will  feel  is  imparted  by  the  Spirit. 
Others,  too,  will  be  in  like  manner  impressed.  Paul 
recognizes  this  and  its  great  importance,  when  he  asks 
the  Ephesian  Church  to  pray  for  him,  "that  utterance 
might  be  given  him,  that  he  might  open  his  mouth  boldly, 
to  make  known  the  mystery  of  the  Gospel."  The  Pen- 
tecostal baptism  gave  to  Peter  and  all  his  brethren  a 
power  of  utterance  to  which  they  had  been  straogers 
heretofore.  And  the  tongue  of  fire  that  sat  upon  each, 
was  a  type  of  the  new  power  of  speech  the  Spirit  im- 
parted. Jesus  promised  this  help  of  the  Spirit  in 
speech  when  he  said,  "It  shall  be  given  you  in  that  hour 
what  ye  shall  speak  !  For  it  is  not  ye  that  speak,  but  the 
Spirit  of  your  Father  which  speaketh  in  yon"  Matt.  10: 
Spurgeon  and  Moody  and  Finney,  and  all  successful 
evangelists  and  many  others,  recognize  this  great  help 
of  the  Spirit  in  their  work.  Spurgeon  used  often  to 
pause  in  mid-discourse,  and  placing  his  hand  on  his 
brow,  would  say  "  Brethren,  pray  for  me,  I  must  have 
more  of  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  Finney  did 
the  same.  We  do  not  claim  that  those  who  have  re- 
ceived this  baptism  at  all  times  are  conscious  of  this 
help,  this  unction  from  the  Holy  Spirit  in  speech.  I 
judge  Paul  did  not  at  times,  for  he  tells  the  Corinthians, 


80  PARACLETOS. 

how  he  "was  with  them  in  iveakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in 
much  trembling."  He  confesses  that  in  speech  he  was 
rude,  (2  Cor.  11:  6)  and  that  his  alienated  brethren 
said  "his  speech  was  contemptible."  I  judge  he  was 
not  always  remarkable  for  eloquence.  But  Paul  tells 
us  that  however  weak  he  might  appear  in  speech,  the 
Holy  Ghost  so  much  the  more  gave  power  to  his  words, 
and  made  them  successful,  and  God  was  the  more  glori- 
fied thereby.  Not  uufrequently  the  Holy  Spirit  is  do- 
ing his  mightiest  work  in  the  congregation  when  the 
preacher  is  imagining  his  address  a  failure.  Why  this 
occasional  absence  of  unction,  we  may  not  fully  know, 
but  that  it  answers  important  purposes  we  can  plainly 
see.  We  will  mention  some  which  occur  to  us.  1.  It 
deepens  the  sense  of  gratitude  for  the  gift  when  it  is 
enjoyed.  The  State  of  Grace  is  contrasted  so  vividly 
in  our  experience  with  that  of  Nature.  2.  It  serves 
as  a  reminder  of  our  personal  weakness.  It  bids  us 
cease  from  man  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils  and  de- 
pend wholly  on  God.  3.  It  serves  the  great  purpose 
of  maintaining  the  Spirit  of  prayer  in  a  Church  for  its 
pastor,  while  he  dispenses  the  Word.  Thus  when  the 
Spirit  of  prayer  began  to  flag  in  Spurgeon's  congrega- 
tion, and  when  he  put  his  hand  upon  his  brow  and 


PERSONAL  BLESSINGS.  81 

said,  "Brethren,  pray  for  me,  I  need  more  help  from 
above,"  then  a  thousand  heads  were  bowed,  the  help 
came  ;  the  preachers  strength  was  renewed  and  God 
was  glorified.  This  was  a  very  common  occurrence  in 
Mr.  Finney's  labors.  Away  back  in  Moses'  time,  we 
find  the  same  feature  of  Divine  working  forcibly  pre- 
sented. It  is  recorded  in  Ex.  17:  11  and  12,  "And  it 
came  to  pass  when  Moses  held  up  his  hands  Israel  pre- 
vailed, and  when  he  let  down  his  hands  Amalek  pre- 
vailed. But  Moses  hands  were  heavy,  and  Aaron  and 
HUT  stayed  up  his  hands,  the  one  on  the  one  side  and  the 
other  on  the  other  side,  and  his  hands  were  steady  un- 
til the  going  down  of  the  sun,  and  Joshua  discomfitted 
Amalek."  So  ever  since,  the  Heralds  of  Divine  truth, 
although  the}T  had  been  annointed  and  Baptised  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  have  been  greatly  dependent  for  sustained 
unction  on  the  prayers  of  the  brethren.  The  Holy 
Spirit  thus  by  the  occasional  weakening  of  the  preach- 
er's hands,  teaching  the  brethren  to  be  constant  in 
prayer.  Of  this  I  feel  certain,  that  this  occasional  ab- 
sence of  conscious  help  from  the  Spirit,  cannot  in  all 
cases  be  charged  to  some  overt  act  of  Sin. 

3d.     The  baptism  of  the  Spirit  will  give  the  preacher 
great  confidence  in  the  Gospel  and  the  remedies  it    of- 


82  PAEACLETOS. 

fers.  All  about  in  his  field  he  will  find  men  groaning 
under  the  power  of  sin.  Men  who  have  striven  often 
and  long  to  break  its  dominion  over  them,  but  have 
failed.  And  now  courage  and  confidence  almost  gone, 
they  are  inclined  to  give  up  the  struggle  and  float 
downward  with  the  stream.  But  if  the  preacher 
evinces  in  his  confident  words  and  in  his  holy  life,  his 
faith  in  One  Mighty  to  Save  such  men  will  come  to 
him,  as  once  Nicademus  came  to  Jesus,  by  night,'  to 
ask  him  how  deliverance  can  be  obtained.  Blessed  my 
brother  will  you  be,  if  with  a  strong  voice,  you  can  tell 
them  the  story  of  your  own  deliverance  and  give  them 
the  assurance  that  he  who  saved  you,  can  save  them 
also.  So  too  it  will  be  when  you  stand  before  the 
people  declaring  all  the  words  of  this  Divine  life  if 
you  can  add,  "  /  speak  what  I  know  and  testify  to 
lohat  I  have  seen. "  The  experience  of  a  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  forms  a  background  of  confidence  in 
preaching,  nothing  else  can  supply. 

4th.  We  do  not  see  how  a  preacher  can  select 
wisely  his  field  of  labor  unless  he  lives  on  most  inti- 
mate terms  of  communion  with  God.  We  believe  the 
Holy  Spirit  will  indicate  to  the  preacher  who  walks  close 
with  him  Him,  where  his  proper  field  is,  and  where  it 


AIDING   THE   WORKER.  83 

is  not,  as  He  did  to  Paul  and  Phillip.  And  that  it  is 
these  spiritual  indications  which  should  determine  this 
matter  and  not  the  wedge  of  gold  or  the  Babylonian 
garment.  So  too  his  messages  will  be  suggested  and 
opened  to  him  by  that  Spirit,  which  all  abroad  in  his 
congregation  knows  the  message  needed. 

oth.  This  baptism  will  impart  force  to  the  preacher's 
words  and  carry  conviction  of  their  truth  to  the 
hearer's  heart.  After  Jesus  had  been  inducted  into  the 
preacher's  office  by  the  baptism  of  water  at  Jordan  and 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  we  are  told  that  his  hearers  were 
astonished  at  His  teaching,  for  His  word  was  with 
power.  The  Apostles  before  they  received  the  baptism 
at  Pentacost,  spoke  only  as  men  endowed  with  the  or- 
dinary and  natural  unction.  After  it  with  an  effect  as- 
tonishing and  a  force  well  nigh  irresistible  !  They 
were  endowed  with  power  from  on  high.  This  new 
and  enlarged  power  of  the  Spirit  attending  their  labors 
was  their  great  dependance,  as  from  Jerusalem  they 
wentfoith  to  preach  repentance  to  a  sin-loving  world. 
Paul  says,  "  My  speech  and  my  preaching  was  not  with 
persuasive  words  of  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of 
the  Spirit  and  of  power.  "  1  Cor.  2:4.  To  the  Thessa- 
lonians  he  writes,  "  Our  Gospel  came  not  unto  you  in 


84  PARACLETOS. 

word  only,  but  also  in  power  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost," 
1.  Thess.  1:5.  Moody  says  after  seeking  this  baptism 
and  receiving  it,  "  I  went  to  preaching  again.  The 
sermons  were  not  different.  I  did  not  present  new 
truths.  And  yet  hundreds  were  converted  !  I  would 
not  now  be  placed  back  where  I  was  before  that  blessed 
experience  if 'you  would  give  me  all  Glasgow.  "  Rev. 
B.  Fay  Mills  gives  similar  testimony  and  ascribes  the 
marvellous  success  attending  his  evangelistic  labors  to 
a  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  received  some  years  after 
his  conversion.  Brethren  in  the  ministry,  have  you 
received  this  power  Christ  promised  the  disciples  ?  Can 
you  obtain  it  ?  Have  you  sought  it  as  for  hidden 
treasure?  Can  you  do  ^our  work  without  it?  Let 
me  suggest  that  you  not  only  set  your  heart  on  gaming 
it,  but  ask  some  of  your  devout  brothers  and  sisters  to 
help  you  in  prayer  to  God  that  you  may  receive  the 
annointing  and  that  they  pray  for  you  while  you 
preach.  Let  me  add  that  almost  without  exception, 
the  men  of  power  in  all  our  denominations  laboring 
now  or  in  the  past,  have  confessed  their  indebtedness 
to  a  special  baptism  received  in  answer  to  fervent 
prayer,  for  their  great  success  and  the  power  which  at- 
tended their  speech. 


AIDING   THE   WOEKEE.  85 

6th.  This  alliance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  with  the  soul 
of  man,  was  designed  to  afford  important  aid  in  ones 
calling,  ivhatever  it  may  be.  The  man  who  works  in 
the  coal  mine  and  the  woman  at  the  washtub,  can  each 
expect  the  Holy  Spirit's  aid  as  truly  as  the  min- 
ister in  the  cathedral  or  the  monarch  on  his  throne. 
So  that  he  may  do  his  work  the  better  and  with  richer 
enjoyment,  because  of  the  great  gift.  O  !  for  the  time 
when  the  farmer,  the  tradesman,  the  blacksmith,  the 
doctor,  the  lawyer  and  the  politician  shall  each  conse- 
crate his  business  to  God  and  cry  mightily  to  Him,  to 
set  apart  by  a  special  baptism,  himself  and  his  business 
to  His  glory  !  No  doubt  the  average  Christian  prays 
for  and  expects  a  measure  of  Divine  aid  in  his  work.  A 
small  measure  at  least.  What  we  plead  for  is  the 
larger  measure,  the  cup  full  and  overflowing,  made 
possible,  where  our  Redeemer  ascended  on  high,  lead- 
ing captivity  captive  and  giving  gifts  to  men.  Few 
there  are  who  do  not  feel  at  times  that  they  are  living 
far  below  their  privilege.  The  writer  once  said  to  a  mem- 
ber of  his  Church,  "Dr.  S.,  what  a  mighty  man  you  would 
be  if  baptised  with  the  Holy  Spirit  and  your  powers  were 
fully  awakened,  sanctified  and  brought  into  action !  " 
He  made  no  reply,  and  as  he  walked  away  I  fancied  I 


86  PARACLETOS. 

had  offended  him.  Some  days  after,  meeting  me,  he 
said,  "  No,  I  am  not  half  the  man  I  ought  to  be.  And 
as  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  often  stirred  up  Sampson  be- 
tween Dan  and  Bethel  before  his  great  power  was  de- 
veloped, so  it  is  with  me.  The  Holy  Ghost  often  re- 
proves me  for  my  imbecility  and  barrenness,  and  tells 
me  what  I  might  be  and  ought  to  be.  But  alas  !  The 
vision  passes  and  I  subside  back  within  the  old  lines  of 
spiritual  weakness  and  inefficiency.  The  full  grown 
man  in  Christ,  endowed  with  His  strength  and  power,  I 
am  not  and  fear  I  never  shall  be."  Alas!  Who  can 
measure  this  vast  reservoir  of  latent  power  in  our 
Churches  ?  How  shall  it  be  developed,  brought  forth 
and  applied  to  the  world's  conversion  ?  Our  answer  is, 
The  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  alone  will  do  it.  That 
which  made  the  early  Churches  so  mighty  in  doing  the 
work  of  God — the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  and 
that  alone  will  develop  this  power  with  God  and  men. 
But  that  day  will  never  come,  till  the  Churches  of  God 
come  to  believe  that  such  a  blessing  is  in  store  for  them 
and  seek  after  it  in  faith  and  an  importunity  like  that 
evinced  in  the  great  ten-days  prayer  meeting  which  pre- 
ceded its  first  bestowal. 


TEEMS  OF  BESTOWAL.  87 


CHAPTEK  VIII. 

We  pass  now  to  consider  the  terms  on  which  the  Great  Gift 

is  bestowed. 

1st.  We  must  pray  for  it  as  a  definite  indaement  of- 
fered by  Christ  to  his  people.  li  stands  out  before  us 
as  quite  distinct  from  the  measure  bestowed  in  conver- 
sion, in  the  prophecy  of  Joel.  So  also  in  the  Saviour's 
promise  of  it  in  the  After  Passover  discourse.  And  it 
was  treated  as  such,  by  the  disciples  in  the  ten-day's 
prayer  meeting,  held  by  them  in  Jerusalem,  before  the 
blessing  came.  For  it  they  waited.  For  it  they  prayed, 
nor  would  they  leave  the  holy  city  until  it  came  !  And 
in  that  waiting,  and  in  that  praying  for  ten  successive 
days,  for  a  blessing  supplementary  to  conversion,  what 
an  example  they  left  behind,  for  the  imitation  of  the 
Church  iu  the  subsequent  ages  !  God  loves  to  have  us 
pray  for  definite  objects.  Such  prayers  mean  some- 
thing. General  prayers  very  little.  And  when  the 
prayer  for  a  specific  object  is  answered,  then  we  know 
that  God  hath  heard  us,  and  our  faith  is  strengthened. 


88  PARACLETOS. 

Had  the  Apostles  and  their  brethren  in  that  upper 
room,  neglected  to  concentrate  their  united  petitions 
on  the  great  blessing  promised,  and  for  which  they 
were  required  to  wait  ;  and  had  they  spent  their  time 
in  prayers  for  other  and  general  objects  of  human 
need,  would  they  have  received  it  ?  In  the  writer's  opin- 
ion, they  would  not.  In  all  revivals  of  religion,  it  is 
the  prayer/or  definite  objects  the  Spirit  indites  and  the 
Spirit  answers.  In  a  town  the  writer  once  visited, 
there  lived  a  Presbyterian  minister,  noted  for  his  con- 
servatism and  love  of  order.  In  a  revival  which  visit- 
ed his  people,  he  became  very  anxious  for  the  conver- 
sion of  a  lady  parishioner.  After  a  very  earnest  con- 
versation with  her  at  her  house,  he  called  upon  an  El- 
der to  pray.  Now  the  Elder  had  his  round  of  orderly 
prayer  and  he  was  proceeding  with  his  routine  of  con- 
fession, ascription,  thanksgiving,  etc.,  when  the 
minister  cried  out,  "Yes,  Yes,  Lord,  but 

what     we     want     now     is     Mrs.    's     conversion!" 

And  that  is  the  way  this  gift  comes  to  men  if  it  comes 
at  all.  It  is  definitely  prayed  for,  definitely  sought  and 
definitely  bestowed.  And  if  in  its  coming,  it  brings 
the  wealth  of  gifts  narrated  in  a  previous  chapter,  it  is 
worthy  of  such  seeking  and  they  who  will  not  so  seek 


TEEMS  OF  BESTOWAL.  89 

it,  it  is  not  fit  that  they  should  obtain  it.  If  this  view 
be  correct,  is  it  any  marvel  that  so  few  of  our  ministers 
and  Church  members  receive  the  blessing,  since  so 
little  is  said  about  it,  in  the  pulpit  or  in  the  seminary, 
that  the  great  majority  have  no  very  definite  views 
regarding  it?  The  rule  for  the  acquisition  of  this  great 
gift  is  thus  given  by  the  wise  man:  "If  thou  criest  after 
knowledge  and  liftest  up  thy  voice  for  understanding, 
if  thou  seekest  her  as  silver,  and  searchest  for  her  as 
for  hidden  treasure,  then  shall  thou  understand  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  and  find  the  knowledge  of  God.  " 
2d.  Another  condition  of  its  bestowal  is  persevering 
and  importunate  prayer.  This  feature  of  prevailing 
prayer  is  very  impressively  brought  to  view  in  different 
parts  of  the  Bible.  There  is  Jacob's  all  night  wrestling 
with  the  Angel,  and  the  morning's  persistency,  when 
halting  on  his  dislocated  thigh  he  cried  out,  "/  will 
not  let  thee  go  until  thou  bless  me.  "  There  is  the  Syro- 
Phenician  woman,  following  Jesus  so  long  and  refusing 
to  be  turned  back  by  the  rebuking  disciples  and  even 
the  Master's  apparent  rejection  of  her  suit  for  a  time. 
More  to  the  point  still  stands  out  before  us  that  ten 
days  prayer  meeting,  in  which  the  disciples  daily  met, 
and  continued  to  pray  till  the  blessing  came.  Who 


90  PAEACLETOS. 

ever  heard  of  a  prayer  meeting  so  long  and  for  one 
definite  object  before  or  since  ?  We  are  told  that  im- 
mediately after  the  ascension  of  our  Lord  from  Mount 
Olivet,  the  disciples  returned  to  the  city,  went  up  into 
an  upper  room  and  began  to  pray  and  prepare  for  the 
Great  Gift,  which  the  Saviour  had  promised  to  send 
from  the  Father.  They  continued  thus  to  meet  for 
prayer  and  conference  over  the  matter,  until  the  morn- 
ing of  the  tenth  day  when  the  answer  came.  That 
they  were  tempted  to  give  up  the  search  before  the 
ten  days  had  passed,  cannot  be  doubted,  for  they  were 
human.  God  be  praised  that  they  did  not.  And 
whensoever  the  modern  Church  shall  accept  the  proph- 
ecy of  Joel  as  applicable  to  it,  in  all  its  essential  rich- 
ness, and  shall  seek  for  the  great  blessing  with  the 
purpose  to  obtain  it  evinced  in  those  ten  days  of  con- 
ference and  prayer,  then  we  may  lift  up  our  eyes,  for 
the  blessing  will  be  at  hand.  Possibly  some  reader 
may  wonder  at  the  withholding  of  this  most  important 
endowment  so  long.  They  ask,  "  Why  was  it  not  be- 
stowed at  once,  when  the  first  prayer  was  offered  for  it 
in  that  upper  room  ?  Or  at  least  after  one  day  of 
prayer,  and  thus  have  saved  nine  days  of  valuable  time 
for  preaching  the  Gospel  ?  "  We  reply,  1st.  The  time 


TEEMS  OF  BESTOWAL.  91 

required  in  the  seeking  was  suggestive  of  the  great  val- 
ue of  the  gift.  The  gift  is  wonderful !  The  Holy 
Spirit  coming  to  take  up  his  residence  in  our  poor 
dwelling !  In  the  bestowal  ought  not  God  to  require 
efforts  on  our  part,  which  show  that  we  appreciate  the 
gift  ?  2d.  In  those  ten  days  of  prayer,  the  disciples 
were  being  prepared  to  receive  the  Heavenly  resident, 
as  is  the  broken  ground  for  the  seed  and  for  the 
shower.  Step  by  step  God  was  revealing  to  each  of 
them,  in  clearer  and  yet  clearer  vision,  a  personal  des- 
titution and  weakness,  the  Holy  Ghost  alone  could 
remedy.  And  thus  when  he  should  come,  awaken  a 
degree  of  gratitude,  which  else  has  not  been  felt  and 
returned  to  God. 

Another  reason  for  the  delay,  and  for  the  earnest 
and  protracted  seeking  required  was,  that  so  sought 
and  obtained,  they  would  be  more  careful  to  cherish 
and  hold  it  fast.  What  costs  us  little  is  lightly  prized. 
What  costs  us  much,  is,  as  a  rule,  tenaciously  retained. 

Other  reasons  there  doubtless  are  in  the  mind  of 
God,  for  earnest  and  often  protracted  seeking,  before 
we  receive  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  God  has 
set  a  price  upon  wisdom  and  a  thousand  other  blessings 
and  time  and  effort  are  indispensible  conditions  of  at- 


92  PAEACLETOS. 

taininent,  and  why  should  this  be  an  exception  ?  Why 
should  not  the  effort  to  gain  it  be  proportioned  to  its 
value  ?  If  we  are  not  willing  to  strive  earnestly  and 
long  if  need  be  for  so  great  a  gift,  is  it  safe  that  God 
should  entrust  us  with  it  ?  But  lest  this  long  seeking 
and  prayer  by  the  Apostles  for  the  gift  before  they 
received  it,  should  lead  the  Church  of  subsequent  ages 
and  Christains  of  all  conditions,  to  anticipate  a  similar 
delay  in  their  case,  we  are  immediately  given  examples 
of  its  quick  reception  after  prayer  and  effort  for  it. 
Such  was  the  case  of  the  Samaritan  converts,  on  whom 
Peter  and  John  laid  their  hands  and  prayed,  and  they 
received  the  Holy  Ghost.  Such  was  that  of  the  Gentile 
Cornelius  and  his  family,  who  received  the  Holy  Bap- 
tism under  the  first  sermon  which  Peter  preached.  So 
it  was  with  those  partially  enlightened  disciples  at 
Ephesus,  who  had  not  so  much  as  heard  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  had  been  given.  Under  a  single  discourse  upon 
the  matter,  the^f  sought  and  received  it.  These  are  ex- 
terior boundaries  drawn  for  us,  encouraging  the  seeker 
to  hope  for  its  quick  reception;  but  if  delayed,  to  per- 
severe, assured  that  he  will  reap  if  he  faints  not.  Thus 
it  is  in  modern  Christain  experience;  some  receive  the 
gift — the  baptism,  after  a  brief  seeking  and  some  per- 


TERMS   OF  BESTOWAL.  93 

haps  on  the  very  day  of  conversion.  Others  climb 
slowly  upon  the  rock,  with  many  a  backward  slip  and 
fall,  before  their  feet  are  establised  there.  Their  ex- 
perience seems  well  described  by  Job,  when  he  says, 
"  Behold,  I  go  forward,  but  He  is  not  there,  and  back- 
ward, but  I  cannot  perceive  Him,  On  the  right  hand 
where  He  doth  work,  but  I  cannot  behold  him  !  He 
hideth  Himself  on  the  right  hand  that  I  cannot  see 
Him  !  But  He  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take  when  He 
hath  tried  me  I  shall  come  forth  as  Gold"  Job.  23:  10. 
3d.  The  gift  must  be  sought  in  faith.  "Without  faith 
it  is  impossible  to  please  God."  "He  that  cometh  to 
God  must  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he  is  a  re  warder 
of  those  who  diligently  seek  him."  To  be  successful  in 
this  matter,  the  seeker  must  believe  in  view  of  the  evi- 
dence before  him,  that  there  is  such  an  after-conversion 
induement  in  store  for  God's  people.  And  this  faith 
is  in  part  intellectual  and  in  part  volitional.  The  in- 
tellect affirming  the  proof  sufficient,  that  God  has  of- 
fered to  his  people  this  larger  measure  of  the  Spirit 
spoken  of.  The  will  pledging  hearty  support  and  co- 
operation in  efforts  to  obtain  it.  The  doubter  will  not 
succeed.  Let  not  that  man  think  he  shall  receive  any- 
thing from  the  Lord.  The  faith  we  are  now  speaking  of 


94  PAEACLETOS. 

is  generic,  and  though  of  vast  importance,  is  to  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  more  specific  and  appropriating 
faith  to  be  considered  further  on. 

4th.  Another  Condition,  is  the  purpose  to  give  the 
Spirit  entire  sway,  in  the  control  of  our  persons  and 
affairs.  He  will  brook  no  rival  on  the  throne  when  He 
comes  to  reign  within.  It  is  an  additional  realm  He 
proposes  to  add  to  our  domain,  and  a  new  and  larger 
consecration  is  suitable  and  is  demanded.  And  hence 
in  the  experience  of  receivers  of  this,  double  portion 
of  the  Spirit,  there  has  usually  been  at  the  threshold, 
a  struggle  of  soul  like  that  at  conversion,  as  if  the 
Saviour  stood  before  them  saying,  "Are  ye  able  to 
drink  of  the  cup  that  I  drink  of,  and  to  be  baptised 
with  the  baptism  that  I  am  baptised  with"?  Nor  is  the 
gift  bestowed,  till  consent  is  given  and  the  consecra- 
tion made. 

5th.  Another  very  important  condition  of  its  be- 
stowment  is  a  purpose  to  make  suitable  confession  of 
God's  mercy  in  the  gift,  after  it  has  been  received. 
"  Come,"  said  the  Psalmist  :  "  All  ye  that  fear  the  Lord 
and  I  will  tell  you  what  he  hath  done  for  my  soul." 
Said  Paul  :  "With  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  right- 
eousness, and  with  the  mouth  confession  is  made  unto  Sal- 


TERMS   OF  BESTOWAL.  95 

vation."  Rom.  10:  10.  The  Baptism  the  Apostles  re- 
ceived at  Pentecost,  they  freely  confessed  before  the 
world,  and  Luke  was  inspired  to  record  it.  Wherever 
they  went,  they  testified  to  this  supplementary  gift  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  as  a  part  of  their  witness  of  what 
Christ  had  done  for  them,  and  was  ready  to  do  for 
others.  And  if  J -there  be  such  a  gift  for  the  Lord's 
people,  and  we  have  received  it,  why  should  we  not 
confess  it  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  encourage  others 
to  seek  the  same  ?  A  purpose  to  keep  still  about  it, 
and  not  confess  it,  we  all  know  is  fatal  to  a  sinner's  ef- 
fort to  find  God.  Not  less  so  is  the  effort  to  gain  this 
baptism,  while  our  proud  heart  is  purposed  to  hide  the 
lamp  under  a  bushel !  This  is  the  testimony  given  to 
UB  by  nearly  all  the  men  of  power,  whose  experiences 
in  this  line  have  come  down  to  us.  We  need  not  adopt 
any  specific  phraseology.  We  need  not  say  we  are  "per- 
fect," or  have  "perfect  love,"  or  are  "wholly  sanctified," 
or  have  lived  such  and  such  lengths  of  time  without 
sin.  No!  No!  this  is  not  our  meaning.  To  the  writer 
all  these  terms  are  more  or  less  objectionable.  But  we 
can  confess  that  we  have  received  a  Baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Have  obtained  thereby  victories  over  be- 
seting  sins,  never  found  practicable  before.  That  we 


96  PAEACLETOS. 

have  a  peace  which  passes  our  power  of  utterance — 
are  enabled  to  live  for  considerable  periods  of  time 
with  a  conscience  void  of  offense  towards  God  and 
man,  and  that  we  know  by  blessed  experience  the  force 
of  the  words  "  His  name  shall  be  called  Jesus,  for  He 
shall  save  His  people  from  their  sins."  Be  the  terms 
what  they  may,  they  must  involve  a  frank  and  fearless 
confession  of  the  great  blessing,  or  God  will  count  us 
unfit  to  receive  it.  Not  a  few  receivers  of  this  gift, 
have  made  confession  of  having  been  long  held  back 
from  it,  by  the  fear  of  man — the  loss  of  eclesiastical 
standing,  and  the  censure  of  men  they  held  in  pro- 
found respect.  And  not  till  this  was  overcome,  and 
reputation  was  laid  on  the  Altar  of  Sacrifice  was  the 
gift  received.  But  thousands  come  up  to  that  high 
barrier,  as  once  Israel  came  to  Kadesh — Barnea,  stopped 
there,  and  turned  back  into  the  wilderness  again  !  The 
fear  of  man  bringeth  a  snare. 

6th.  The  final  conditions,  we  mention,  on  which 
the  baptism  of  the  Spirit  is  imparted,  is  a  personal  ap- 
plication of  the  promise.  We  will  designate  the  exer- 
cise we  have  in  mind  appropriating  faith. 

Thus  it  is  taught  in  the  Bible.  "  Whatsoever  things 
ye  desire  when  ye  pray,  believe  that  ye  receive  them 


TEEMS   OF  BESTOWAL.  97 

and  ye  shall  have  them.  "  Mark.  II:  24.  "  And  this  is 
the  confidence  that  we  have  in  Him,  that  if  we  ask  any- 
thing according  to  His  will  he  heareth  us.  And  if  we 
know  that  He  heareth  us,  we  know  that  we  have  the 
petitions  that  we  desired  of  Him."  John.  5:  15  and  16. 
"  If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  who 
giveth  to  all  men  liberally  and  upbraideth  not,  and  it 
shall  be  given  him.  But  let  him  ask  in  faith,  nothing 
wavering,  for  he  that  wavereth  is  like  a  wave  of  the 
sea,  driven  by  the  wind  and  tossed.  Let  not  that  man 
think  that  he  shall  receive  anything  from  the  Lord. " 
James  1 :  5,  7.  This  faith  is  yet  more  strongly  placed 
before  us  by  our  Saviour  in  Mark  11:  23,  "  Have  faith 
in  God.  For  verily  I  say  unto  you,  whosover  shall  say 
to  this  mountain,  be  thou  removed  and  be  thou  cast 
into  the  sea,  and  shall  not  doubt  in  his  heart,  but  shall 
believe  that  those  things  which  he  saith  shall  come  to  pass, 
he  shall  have  whatsoever  he  saith. "  All  these  passages 
enjoin  the  faith  of  expectancy,  or  as  we  have 
designated  it  above,  appropriating  faith  before 
its  reception.  The  last  passage  startles  us ! 
A  mountain  plucked  up  by  the  roots  by  faith  and 
cast  into  the  sea !  Of  course  it  is  a  figurative 
mountain,  a  moral  mountain,  Christ  has  in  view.  The 


98  PAEACLETOS. 

natural  mountains  are  well  enough  where  they  are.  It 
is  only  those  moral  mountains,  which  rise  between  our 
souls  and  duty — our  souls  and  heaven,  that  need  to  be 
torn  up  and  cast  away.  And  the  duty  taught  is  that 
when  we  ask  the  Lord  to  help  us  remove  them 
from  the  path  to  Him  and  heaven,  that  we  shall  not 
doubt  that  he  hears  us,  begins  at  once  the  work,  and  will 
cast  them  into  the  sea,  if  we  hold  fast  without  wavering 
our  faith.  This  faith  is  immensely  important.  The 
want  of  it  shuts  great  multitudes  out  of  the  kingdom 
of  God  and  out  of  the  enjoyment  of  religion.  Great 
multitudes  of  serious  minded  men  and  of  convicted 
sinners,  go  by  themselves  to  pray;  they  confess  their 
sins,  they  try  to  give  their  hearts  to  God,  they  ask  help 
from  above  and  then  insttad  of  believing  in  the  mercy 
and  generosity  of  God,  and  relying  on  His  simple  word, 
they  look  after  some  feeling  or  experience,  before  they 
cast  themselves  on  His  mercy  and  take  Him  at  His 
word  and  march  off  in  the  performance  of  duty.  They 
seek  after  a  sign.  Whereas  the  thing  to  be  done  in 
such  an  hour,  is  to  believe.  Repentance  first,  belief 
second,  and  neither  acceptable  without  the  other. 

So  it  is  with  this  great  Messianic  Gift,    of  a    double 
portion  of  the  Divine  Spirit.      If    we  want  it  weare    to 


TEEMS  OF  BESTOWAL.  99 

ask  for  it,  read  what  God  has  said  about  it,  awaken 
ourselves  to  the  importance  of  receiving  it,  and  when 
we  begin  to  pray  for  it,  believe  that  God  is  deeply  in- 
terested in  our  receiving  it,  and  then  and  there  loving- 
ly takes  our  hand  and  will  lead  us  into  it,  if  we  persevere 
and  faint  not.  This  is  the  road  to  it,  the  path  which, 
if  pursued  will  lead  one  to  where  he  shall  be  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost.  In  conversing  on  this  subject,  some 
days  since  with  a  clergyman,  he  said  in  substance,  "  I 
have  been  seeking  after  this  blessing  of  which  you 
speak,  I  have  been  searching  after  those  sins  of  heart 
which  limit  the  work  of  the  Spirit  in  me  and  through 
me.  I  have  tried  to  consecrate  myself  anew,  I  have 
asked  for  the  Holy  Baptism,  I  have  done  so  again  and 
again,  but  I  do  not  obtain  it — I  remain  the  same  as  I 
have  been  for  years!  Tell  me,  what  is  in  the  way — 
What  more  can  I  do  ?  "  I  replied,  you  can  believe.  What 
you  should  have  done  after  the  consecration  you  speak 
of,  was  to  believe  that  then  and  there  your -loving  and  in- 
finitely interested  Heavenly  Father  did  join  hands  with 
you  and  say,  "  It  is  enough  "  /  accept  the  consecration. 
Do  not  question  my  generosity  and  love,  but  rise  up, 
ask  for  light  and  expect  it.  When  a  duty  comes  be- 
fore you,  ask  me  to"  help  you  to  lean  on  my  arm. 


100  PARACLETOS. 

When  the  Tempter  assails,  fight  him  not  alone,  but  call  on 
the  name  of  the  Lord.  "  And  when  I  repeated  to  my 
friend  the  words  of  Jesus,  "Whatsoever  ye  desire 
when  ye  pray,  believe  that  ye  receive  them  and  ye  shall 
have  them,"  and  asked,  did  you  believe  that  you  were 
receiving  them  ?  He  shook  his  head  and  said,  "  I  did 
not."  And  when  I  asked  what  advice  he  would  give  to 
a  sinner  who  was  trying  to  give  up  all  to  God's  con- 
trol and  had  done  so  as  far  as  he  could  see,  but  got  no 
relief,  the  obvious  answer  was,  "I  would  tell  him  to  be- 
lieve that  God  did  accept  him  for  it  cannot  be  that  God 
will  not  accept  a  soul  that  is  intent  on  a  life  of  loyalty 
and  love.  I  would  tell  him  to  have  faith  in  God.  To 
give  firm  credit  to  God's  representation  of  himself  in 
His  word." 

If  to  this  it  be  objected  that  we  may  be  deceived  in 
the  matter  of  consecration,  albeit  we  may  sincerely 
strive  to  give  up  all  and  think  we  have  done  so.  We 
reply  this  is  scarcely  possible,  for  it  cannot  be  that 
God,  who  is  so  deeply  interested  in  our  salvation,  will 
fail  to  show  us  wherein  we  come  short,  when  He  sees 
us  desirous  of  seeing  our  sin  and  putting  it  away. 
What  would  we  do  in  case  of  our  child,  desirous  of 
knowing  if  anything  he  did  was  offensive  ?  We  would 


TERMS  OF  BESTOWAL.  101 

surely  make  it  known  to  him.  One  passage  of  God's 
Word  shows  what  God  will  do  in  such  a  case.  "  If  in 
anything  ye  be  otherwise  minded,  God  shall  reveal 
even  this  to  you."  At  the  shout  of  faith  the  walls  of 
Jericho  fell  and  the  people  went  up  and  took  full  pos- 
session !  They  believed  and  shouted  victory  before  a 
stone  fell !  This  faith  of  expectancy,  or  appropriating 
faith,  has  been  to  the  writer  for  many  years,  a  matter 
of  great  practical  utility.  He  has  been  in  the  habit 
daily,  and  almost  hourly,  of  seeking  help  from  the 
Holy  Spirit.  And  when  he  asks,  of  affirming  to  him- 
self "He  hears  and  answers  my  prayer,  and  he  begins  now.'' 
May  the  writer  add — that  with  that  prayer  and  faith, 
answers  have  come  with  surprising  uniformity  and 
quickness  too.  So  uniform  has  this  experience  been, 
that  the  language  of  Paul  seems  most  appropriate  in 
his  case — "The  life  that  I  live  in  the  flesh  I  live  by  the 
faith  of  the  Son  of  God,"  Gal.  2:  20. 

We  should  not  infer  that  God  does  not  design  to  an- 
swer our  prayer,  because  it  is  not  fully  done  at  once. 
The  pious  Israelites  prayed  while  in  captivity  for  restora- 
tion to  the  promised  land,  and  the  rebuilding  of  the  Holy 
City  and  Temple.  And  their  prayers  were  indited  by 
the  Holy  Spirit.  But  it  took  years  to  bring  about  the  an- 


102  PAEACLETOS. 

swer  while  God  was  raising  up  Cyrus  and  Darius  to  be 
His  instruments  in  doing  it.  We  pray  for  crops  of  grain, 
but  it  takes  time  and  various  agencies  to  bring  about 
the  answer.  The  words  to  Daniel  are  in  point,  "From 
the  first  day  that  thou  didst  set  thine  heart  to  under- 
stand and  chasten  thyself  before  God,  thy  words  were 
heard.  But  the  Prince  of  the  Kingdom  of  Persia 
withstood  me  one  and  twenty  days,"  Dan.  10:  12.  The 
answer  begins  when  the  prayer  of  faith  begins,  in  all 
matters  acceptable  to  God.  Let  us  then  seek  the  great 
induement,  assured  at  the  outset,  that  it  is  in  store  for 
us  ;  that  God  is  deeply  interested  in  our  obtaining  it, 
and  that  we  shall  not  fail  save  through  half  hearted- 
ness  or  unbelief.  He  longs  to  draw  nigh  to  us  and 
have  us  draw  nigh  to  him — in  a  blessed  experience, 
which  shall  have  more  than  the  power  of  miracles,  in 
revealing  to  us  the  presence  of  God,  His  sympathy, 
His  love,  and  G-reat  Salvation !  For  this  great  blessing 
with  a  quiet  faith,  look  !  look  !  look  to  God  for  a  leading 
thereto.  Thus  Spurgeon  gained  the  victory  and  the 
power.  And  as  you  look,  believe  in  the  love  that  calls 
and  urges.  Seek  not  for  a  sign.  "Blessed  are  they  that 
have  not  seen,  and  yet  have  believed  !" 


TEEMS   OF  BESTOWAL.  103 

Before  leaving  this  part  of  our  subject,  it  may  be 
well  to  caution  the  seeker  against  forming  plans  as  to 
the  experiences  which  shall  attend  upon  the  coming 
blessing.  If  he  does,  he  will  be  likely  to  be  disappoin- 
ted. "  My  ways  are  not  you  ways  saith  the  Lord.  "  As 
it  is  with  conversion,  so  it  is  with  this  super- added 
gift.  Rarely  are  the  anticipated  gifts  realized  in  either 
case,  when  the  blessing  comes.  Two  essential  things 
are  to  be  looked  for.  They  are,  1st.  Victory  over  sin- 
ful propensities  by  a  power  that  has  come  to  dwell 
within  us.  And  2d.  Unction  and  help  in  Christain 
work.  If  you  have  these  two  things,  then  you  have  re- 
ceived the  baptism.  And  this  leads  me  to  add,  that 
as  many  Christains  cannot  tell  when  they  entered  upon 
the  narrow  way,  or  how  they  W7ere  led  into  it,  so  many 
have  received  this  baptism  by  steps  so  gradual  that  they 
cannot  point  to  any  special  experience  marking  the 
event.  What  matters  it,  so  long  as  in  either  case  they 
have  the  treasure?  The  writer  was  once  conversing 
on  this  subject  with  a  brother  beloved  in  the  ministry, 
and  he  turned  and  said  to  me  sadly,  "  Brother,  I  have 
had  no  such  experiences  as  those  you  speak  of,  although 
I  feel  that  God  helps  me  in  my  work  and  in  my  inward 
warfare.  "  I  replied,  "  Your  consistent  life,  we  all  ad- 


104  PAEACLETOS. 

mire.  It  affords  ample  evidence  to  us  that  you  have 
passed  from  death  unto  life  and  that  the  mighty  Helper 
is  the  strength  of  your  arm.  And  whenever  I  hear 
you  preach,  I  feel  deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction 
that  the  Holy  Ghost  has  developed  in  your  heart  the 
truth  you  are  preaching  and  is  aiding  you  in  its  deliv- 
ery. And  so  it  is  when  you  pray,  the  Holy  Ghost  as- 
sists you.  "  But  while  there  are  many  such  cases  as 
these,  the  great  majority  will  gain  the  gift,  by  a  direct 
and  conscious  seeking.  And  it  is  undoubtedly  the 
privilege  of  all,  sooner  or  later,  to  be  so  filled  with  the 
Spirit,  that  every  doubt  on  this  matter  shall  pass  away 
forever. 


THE  BAPTISM  IDENTIFIED.  105 


CHAPTEK  IX. 

The  Gift  distinguished  from  its  Counterfeits. 

In  this  world  so  largely  ruled  by  the  father  of  lies, 
counterfeits  are  common.  There  are  false  prophets, 
false  Christs  and  false  Gods !  Preachers  in  sheep's 
clothing,  but  inwardly  ravenous  wolves,  abound. 
There  are  sham  conversions,  and  even  men  pretending 
to  have  received  this  last  Great  Gift  of  the  Spirit, 
whose  claims  are  spurious  and  whose  examples  have 
brought  the  doctrine  into  reproach.  Nevertheless  the 
foundation  of  God  standeth  sure,  and  we  can  plant  our 
feet  upon  it,  and  distinguish  between  the  solid  rock 
and  a  heap  of  sand.  Real  gold  has  abiding  constitu- 
ents that  base  metals  and  imitations  never  possess. 

1st.  The  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  causes  its 
beneficiaries  to  adhere  tenaciously  to  the  Bible,  because 
He  inspired  it.  Holy  men  of  old  who  wrote  it,  spoke 
and  wrote  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
And  when  He  enters  a  soul,  it  is  not  to  lead  it  to  re  • 
pudiate  His  own  words,  or  to  treat  them  lightly. 


106  PAEACLETOS. 

Christ  prayed  "Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth — thy 
ivord  is  truth.  Show  me  then  a  man  who  substitutes 
his  own  fancies  for  the  obvious  teachings  of  God's 
Word,  or  has  loose  views  regarding  its  authority,  and 
I  will  show  you  one  who  is  still  in  his  sins,  and  has  not 
the  Spirit.  The  central  sentiment  of  those  who  have 
received  Him  is  thus  expressed,  "To  the  law  and  to  the 
testimony,  if  they  speak  not  according  to  his  Word,  it 
is  because  there  is  no  light  in  them." 

2nd.  Another  distinguishing  feature  of  the  Holy 
Baptism  is,  an  increased  affection  for  the  Church  of  God, 
and  a  firm  adhesion  to  it.  I  mean,  of  course,  true 
Churches,  such  as  believe  in  Conversion,  in  the  Bible, 
and  in  Christ.  Albeit  men  receiving  this  Gift,  see 
more  clearly  than  before,  the  low  grounds  on  which 
most  of  their  brethren  are  walking,  they  do  not  separ- 
ate themselves  from  them  saying,  "Depart  from  me  for 
I  am  holier  than  thou."  But  with  loving  sympathy 
akin  to  that  of  the  Master,  and  inspired  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  they  abide  with  them,  and  seek  to  lead  them  up 
to  the  heights  of  privilege  above.  How  lovingly  Peter 
and  John  went  to  those  in  Samaria,  converted  under 
Phillip,  but  had  not  received  the  great  blessing,  took 
them  by  the  hand,  greeted  them  lovingly,  and  prayed 


THE  BAPTISM  IDENTIFIED.  107, 

for  them  that  they  might  receive  the  Holy  Spirit.  And 
so  wherever  the  preachers  of  those  days  went,  they 
gathered  the  converts,  instructed  them  in  their  privi- 
leges, and  sought  to  lead  them  into  the  possession. 
Depend  upon  it  therefore,  that  when  professed  receiv- 
ers of  this  blessing  withdraw  from  their  Church  con- 
nections, voluntarily,  and  unforced,  another  Spirit  than 
that  of  love  actuates  them,  and  it  is  another  baptism 
diverse  from  that  of  the  Holy  Ghosfc,  which  has  fallen 
on  them.  Says  Jude,  "There  be  they  who  separate 
themselves,  sensual,  having  not  the  Spirit  I  " 

3d.  The  true  Baptism  is  eminently,  charitable  in  the 
modern  sense  of  that  word,  while  the  false  is  sensorious 
and  given  to  severe  criticism  and  judging.  "Charity 
thinketh  no  evil.  "  It  ""covers  a  multitude  of  sins.  " 
The  more  of  Divinity  there  is  in  a  man's  soul,  the  more 
his  heart  is  filled  with  love  to  God  and  his  brethren. 
He  will  not  judge  them  coldly  and  without  sympathy. 
How  lovingly  and  tenderly  Paul  speaks  of  his  brethren 
of  the  Jewish  Church  in  Eom.  9thJ:  "  I  say  the  truth  in 
Christ,  I  lie  not,  my  conscience  bearing  me  witness  in 
the  Holy  Ghost,  that  I  have  ,great  heaviness  and  contin- 
ual sorrow  in  my  heart.  For  I  could  wish  myself  accur- 
sed from  Christ  for  my  brethren,  my  kinsmen  accord- 


108  PABACLETOS.. 

ing  to  the  flesh,  who  are  Israelites,"  &c.  Such  a  spirit 
is  given  a  man  when  the  Pentecostal  blessing  comes 
and  stays  with  him,  while  he  enjoys  it.  When  there- 
fore, a  man  professing  to  have  received  this  gift  be- 
comes a  sharp  critic  on  his  brethren  and  delights  in 
parading  their  faults  before  others,  you  may  safely 
regard  his  experience,  as  at  heart,  only  a  counterfeit  of 
the  true  coin  of  heaven. 

4th.  The  genuine  baptism  leads  to  increased  activ- 
ity in  all  useful  lines  and  in  all  Gospel  work.  How 
quickly  the  Apostles  went  to  work,  after  the  baptism 
came  upon  them !  Paul  received  the  blessing  and 
what  a  life  of  labor  he  entered  upon  at  once.  So  in 
these  last  days,  when  men  like  Moody,  Finney,  Spur- 
geon  and  Mills  receive  this  gift,  then  the  great  work  of 
life  begins.  Whittier  well  says  : 

"Not  to  ease  or  aimless  quiet, 
Doth  the  inward  answer  tend, 

But  the  works  of  love  and  duty, 
As  our  beings  end." 

Wherever  this  baptism  is  professedly  received,  if  it 
does  not  lead  to  increased  activity  and  unselfish  labors, 
where  it  leaves  a  man  selfishly  ruminating  on  his  per- 
sonal security  and  rich  experiences,  content  to  see 


THE  BAPTISM  IDENTIFIED.  109 

others  drift  down  the  stream  while  he  is  on  the  shore, 
there  we  may  be  sure  the  Great  Pentecostal  blessing 
never  came.  It  is  only  a  counterfeit. 

5th.  Greatly  enlarged  fruitfulness  is  another  feature, 
which  distinguishes  the  true  annointing  from  the  false. 
Manifestly,  the  original  and  primal  advent  of  this  gift 
upon  the  Apostles  and  early  Christians  greatly  increased 
their  moral  and  spiritual  fruitfulness.  What  multitudes 
were  converted  under  their  labors !  Jesus  said,  John 
15:  5,  "He  that  abidethin  Me  and  I  in  him  the  same 
bringeth  forth  much  fruit."  And  again,  "Herein  is  my 
Father  glorified,  that  ye  bear  much  frui.t  "  More  for- 
cible still  and  entirely  conclusive  on  this  point  are  the 
words  of  Jesus,  recorded  in  John  7:  38,  39.  "He  that 
believeth  on  me,  as  the  Scripture  hath  said,  out  of  his 
belly  shall  -flow  rivers  of  living  water]  But  this  spake 
He  of  the  Spirit,  which  they  that  believe  on  Him 
should  receive,  for  the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  yet  given, 
because  Jesus  was  not  yet  glorified.  "  This  immensely 
rich  promise  affirms  a  vast  increase  of  spiritual  power 
and  fertility,  ever  attending  the  Baptism  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  Why  should  it  not  be  so,  when  to  our  natural 
power,  there  is  added  that  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Shall  I 
be  more  specific  in  elucidating  this  part  of  our  sub- 
ject? Let  me  say  then  : 


110  PAEACLETOS. 

1st.  When  you  pray,  you  will  have  a  consciousness 
that  the  Holy  Spirit  helps  you  and  others  will  feel  it 
too.  God  will  seem  to  them  very  near ! 

2d.  When  you  speak  in  testimony  or  exhortation 
God  will  help  you  and  make  your  words  impressive. 

3d.  Your  very  silence,  will  at  times  impress  people 
more  stroDgly  than  words  could  do,  that  God  is  with 
you,  enabling  you  to  control  the  unruly  member. 

4th.  Your  exemplary  and  conscientious  conduct, 
will  after  a  time  impress  those  who  look  on  and  see  it 
with  the  reality  and  practibility  of  the  religion  you 
profess.  You  may  not  see  much  of  it  on  earth,  but 
you  will  in  heaven.  For  your  prayers  are  all  laid  up, 
your  tears  bottled,  your  words  of  warning  registered 
and  your  general  influence  the  Holy  Ghost  is  gathering 
in  a  cloud  above,  which  by  and  by  will  descend  in 
showers  of  blessings.  Only  believe,  thou  baptised 
child  of  God,  persevere  in  prayer  and  labor  and  you  will 
yet  see  the  verity  of  Christ's  words,  "  He  that  abideth 
in  me  the  same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit.  "  But  the 
counterfeit  baptism  beareth  only  briars  and  thorns. 
"  Wherefore  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them.  " 


HOW  RETAINED.  Ill 


CHAPTER  X. 


How  can  the  savor  of  this  Baptism  be  obtained^     And  is 
it  ever  lost  ? 


retained  f 


We  have  before  shown  that  it  exerts  a  power- 
ful sealing  influence.  Many  passages  affirm  this. 
We  need  not  repeat  them  here.  In  accord  with 
them,  is  the  testimony  of  Christian  experience. 
The  Baptism  once  enjoyed  can  never  be  forgotten !  Its 
peace,  its  joy,  its  victory  and  communion  with  God, 
will  remain  engraved  on  the  memory,  as  doubtless  are 
pictures  of  heaven  on  the  minds  of  the  Angels  who 
fell !  Life  ever  after  will  be  to  such,  as  was  captivity 
and  slavery  to  Israel,  when  they  sang  so  sadly,  "By  the 
rivers  of  Babylon,  there  we  sat  down!  Yea,  we  wept 
when  we  remembered  Zion !  We  hanged  our  harps 
upon  the  willows  in  the  midst  thereof  !  How  shall  we 
sing  the  Loid's  song  in  a  strange  land !"  And  this 
sweet  memory  of  liberty  lost,  will  lead  to  many  a  stout 
uprising  against  the  powers  that  oppress.  And  in 
some  of  them,  most  likely  the  lost  ground  will  be  re- 
gained. Hence  in  part  the  recovering  and  sealing 


112  PAEACLETOS. 

power  of  the  Gift,  when  once  received.  And  hence  while 
great  numbers  go  back  who  have  received  in  conversion 
the  first  installment  of  spiritual  power,  those  who  receive 
the  second,  with  few  exceptions,  hold  on  their  way. 
Yet  we  have  reason  to  believe,  there  are  sad  exceptions 
to  the  rule.  Paul  intimates  this  when  in  his  letter  to 
the  Church  ID  Gallatia  he  asks,  "  Are  ye  so  foolish, 
having  begun  in  the  Spirit,  are  you  now  made  perfect 
in  the  flesh  ?  "  And  in  the  exhortation,  not  to  "  quench 
the  Spirit — whereby  they  had  been  sealed  ,  "  he  cer- 
tainly intimates  that  even  such  are  in  danger.  And 
more  strongly  still  he  warns  against  the  danger  when 
he  says,  "  It  is  impossible  for  those  who  have  tasted 
the  heavenly  gift  and  were  made  partakers  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  if  they  fall  away  to  renew  them  again  unto  re- 
pentance. "  We  think  we  have  known  some  such  dur- 
ing an  observation  of  nearly  seventy  years,  who  evi- 
dently received  the  Great  Gift,  ran  well  for  a  time,  and 
afterward  relapsed,  finally  and  fatally.  We  call  to 
mind  one,  who  received,  apparently,  this  blessing. 
God  annointed  him  to  preach;  for  a  time  he  ran  well; 
God  blessed  his  labors,  and  souls  were  converted  under 
his  preaching.  But  his  views  were  sharply  criticised  by 
his  brethren,  wrongfully  I  think,  both  as  to  the  assaults 


HOW  RETAINED.  113 

on  his  Theology  and  in  the  spirit  of  severe  censure 
manifested.  He  retaliated,  withdrew  from  the  Church 
and  went  off  with  a  faction,  which  finally  broke  up  and 
was  scattered  to  the  four  winds.  Poor  man  !  He  is 
dead  now,  but  I  fear  he  never  regained  the  height  from 
which  he  fell. 

I  knew  yet  another,  who  while  in  the  Theological 
Seminary,  seemed  to  receive  richly  of  this  gift,  and  for 
a  time  seemed  to  walk  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ. 
But  when  he  went  to  preach  where  his  father  lived, 
south  of  Mason  an  Dixon's  line,  he  was  fiercely  perse- 
cuted and  driven  from  his  native  State  on  account  of 
his  views  of  slavery.  And  north  of  that  line,  even  in 
the  free  States  he  was  shut  out  of  Orthodox  pulpits,  as- 
sailed by  the  mob  and  caricatured  by  the  press.  By 
degrees  his  spirit  become  soured,  his  tongue  censorious 
and  vituperative.  He  left  the  Church,  denounced  it  un- 
sparingly and  finally  lost  all  faith  in  the  Bible  and  I 
believe  in  God.  Such  cases,  though  rare  are  sufficient- 
ly numerous,  to  warn  us  that  as  once  the  angels  fell 
from  their  lofty  principalities,  so  even  eminently  sancti- 
fied men,  are  liable  to  fall  from  their  steadfastness. 

On  the  question,  how  shall  the  savor  of  this  holy 
annointing  be  retained  ?  We  reply  : 


114'  PAEACLETOS. 

1st.  By  retaining  a  perpetual  sense  of  dependence  on 
the  Indwelling  Spirit.  The  convert  who  commences  his 
religious  life  in  conscious  weakness,  looking  wholly  to 
God  for  help,  finds  himself  sustained.  But  when  he 
has  waxen  strong  and  became  fortified,  as  he  thinks,  by 
experience  and  knowledge  and  Chiistain  association? 
and  leans  on  them,  then  his  strength  departs  and  his 
enemy  assails  and  overcomes  him.  So  also  is  the  man 
of  Pentecostal  endowments  shorn  of  his  strength,  when 
he  fancies  himself  so  rooted  and  grounded  in  character 
that  no  wind  of  temptation  will  ever  overthrow  him. 
This  was  the  fatal  mistake  of  a  noted  sect  of  modern 
Perfectionists,  now  nearly  extinct.  They  held  that  they 
had  asked  God  to  make  their  faith  perpetual  and  had 
exercised  faith  that  He  would,  and  that  therefore  the 
banner  of  holiness  was  nailed  to  mast  head,  and  fall- 
ing into  sin  thenceforth  was  impossible  !  To  retain 
our  standing,  there  must  be  preserved  a  perpetual  sense 
of  personal  weakness  and  absolute  dependence  on  the 
Holy  Helper.  Nor  will  continual  watchfulness,  prayer 
and  effort  become  obsolete,  while  we  are  in  the  flesh 
and  in  a  world  of  Devils  and  sin. 

2d.  To  retain  the  blessing,  we  must  seek  a  constant 
growth — Forgetting  the  things  behind,  we  must  press 


HOW  RETAINED.  115 

forward  to  those  before.  Even  after  this  baptism  there 
remains  much  land  to  be  possessed.  Said  Paul, 
"  Brethren,  I  count  not  myself  to  have  apprehended,  but 
this  one  thing  I  do,  forgeting  the  things  behind  and 
reaching  forward  to  those  before,  I  press  toward  the 
mark  for  the  prise  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.  "  It  will  not  therefore  do  for  the  man  who  has 
received  this  baptism  to  rest  on  his  laurels,  but  like  an 
army  to  which  the  King  has  sent  a  great  re-enforce- 
ment, it  must  lift  its  tents  and  march  forward  to  larger 
conquests.  So  must  he  seek  growth  and  enlargement 
and  richer  and  yet  richer  acquisitions.  Says  the 
Psalmist,  "  He  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted  by  the 
rivers  of  water,  that  bringeth  forth  his  fruit  in  his 
season ; "  and  Isaiah,  "  They  go  from  strength  to 
strength;"  and  Paul,  "  We  all  with  open  face  behold 
ing  as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed 
into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory  !  Even  as  by 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  !  " 


116  PABACLETOS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

The  attitude  the  Church  in  its  varied  organizations  should 
take  with  relation  to  this  Baptism  of  the  Spirit. 

PROFESSORS    OF    THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARIES. 

We  will  begin  with  the  Professors  in  our  Theological 
seminaries.  Brethren,  we  have  a  profound  respect  for 
you  and  your  calling  and  an  ideal  of  possibilities  of 
usefulness  before  you,  it  will  be  difficult  fully  to  express. 
We  believe  God  has  put  within  your  reach  the  power 
to  quadruple  the  influence  of  the  next  generation  of 
missionaries  and  preachers  of  the  Gospel.  Into  your 
hands  God  has  placed  the  power  of  moulding  the  men, 
intellectually  and  spiritually,  who,  going  forth  from 
the  seminary,  year  by  year,  are  to  break  the  bread  of 
life  to  the  Churches  and  the  people  of  the  world.  The 
mark  of  your  hand  will  be  upon  them  and  their  work 
so  long  as  they  live.  Their  Theology  will,  with  an  ex- 
ception here  and  there,  be  your  Theology.  Your  con- 


TO  THEOLOGICAL  PROFESSORS.  117 

ception  of  Christ,  their  conception.  Your  views  of  the 
Holy  Spirit's  work,  their  views.  And  your  experience 
of  his  power  to  sanctify,  empower  for  work  and  fill 
with  the  fullness  of  God,  will  go  forth  with  them  into 
their  fields  and  be  the  living  model  present  and  im- 
pressive, all  their  days  !  Nor  will  your  influence  in 
this  respect,  terminate  with  them,  but  will  travel  on, 
transmitted  from  hand  to  hand,  to  generations  unborn. 
And  if  there  be  a  class  in  the  Church  of  God,  more  im- 
portant than  any  other,  around  which  our  Churches 
should  gather  to  offer  up  special  prayer  in  their  be- 
half, that  class  is  made  up  of  the  Professors  in  our 
Theological  seminaries.  Possibly  some  may  deny  that 
their  influence  and  power  is  so  great.  To  this  we  re- 
ply. If  it  is  not,  it  ought  to  be.  Yes,  and  it  can  be  and 
will  be  if  the  Professor  is  filled  with  the  Spirit  as  it  is 
his  privilege  to  be.  Who  ever  spent  an  hour  in  Fin- 
ney's  Theological  lecture  room  and  was  not  impressed 
with  the  power  of  his  prayer,  and  the  manifest  pres- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit  there  ?  Brethren  of  the  sem- 
inary, the  actuality  of  your  influence  is  one  thing,  the 
possibilities  are  quite  another !  Suffer  the  writer  to 
make  some  suggestions  as  to  your  duty  in  relation  to 
this  Baptism  of  the  Spirit. 


118  PARACLETOS. 

1st.  You  need  it  personally  in  the  .  fulness  of  its 
power.  You  sit  in  Moses'  seat.  You  need  the  power 
which  rested  on  him,  and  you  can  have  it  in  largest 
measure  if  you  will.  Your  communion  with  God  may 
be  so  blissful,  that  when  you  come  from  the  closet  be- 
fore your  classes  as  Moses  from  the  Mount,  so  will 
your  face  shine,  that  you  will  need  to  vail  an  experi- 
ence too  bright  to  utter.  Moody  said  the  experience  of 
this  Baptism  he  had  in  New  York,  was  too  rich  and  sa- 
cred for  specific  description.  So  it  may  be  with  you. 
And  if  any  need  to  know,  in  largest  measure  what  this 
blessed  Baptism  is,  they  are  the  successors  of  Peter 
and  John  and  Paul,  who  like  them  are  to  hand  down  to 
generations  below  them,  the  Gospel  in  its  fullness  of 
experience  and  doctrine  and  power.  If  Peter  and 
Paul  needed  this  baptism,  can  you  do  without  it  ?  If 
Jesus  must  have  it,  can  you  dispense  with  its  aid? 

2nd.  Let  it  be  a  cardinal  doctrine  of  the  Seminary, 
that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  the  Great  Instructor  in  your 
school,  presiding  over  every  study — every  lecture,  ev- 
ery session !  So  important  is  this  doctrine  of  the 
Spirit's  teaching  and  illumination  of  the  inspired 
Word,  that  in  the  writer's  estimation,  especial  attention 
to  the  matter  should  be  among  the  first  doctrines 


TO  THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS.  119 

taught,  and  deeply  impressed  upon  students  as  they 
enter  the  school.  Let  your  school  be  emphatically  the 
the  school  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

3d.  May  the  writer  urge  upon  you  special  lectures 
and  studies  upon  this  topic,  so  that  your  graduates  may 
no  more  come  forth  from  the  Seminary,  with  no  definite 
opinions  or  views  regarding  it,  as  has  heretofore  been 
true.  It  is  too  great  a  matter  to  be  thus  ignored  and 
pushed  into  the  back  ground. 

4th.  Insist  upon  the  indispensableness  of  this  bap- 
tism as  a  qualification  for  preaching  the  Gospel. 
And  do  not  recommend  a  man  for  licensure  or 
ordination  till  he  gives  evidence  of  having  been  or- 
dained and  endued  with  power  from  on  high.  Suffer 
the  advice  of  your  brother  thus  far,  and  when  the 
chariots  shall  come  to  take  you  up,  may  Elijahs  mantle 
fall  from  the  shoulders  of  each  of  you — upon  the  sons 
of  the  Prophets. 

A    WORD    WITH    THEOLOGICAL    STUDENTS. 

The  attitude  of  the  Theological  students  of  our 
country  in  relation  to  the  subject  we  are  discussing, 
stands  next  in  importance  to  that  occupied  by  their 
Professors  and  teachers.  Indeed,  they  are  soon  to  take 


120  PARACLETOS. 

their  places  and  teach  Theology  to  another  and  a 
larger  generation.  It  is  the  hope  of  the  writer,  and 
indeed  his  expectation,  that  they  will  be  more  devout 
than  their  fathers,  will  have  a  larger  experience  of  the 
Spirit's  power,  and  do  an  immense  work  in  leading  our 
Churches  up  into  the  higher  life.  We  cannot  be  far 
off  from  the  millennium — that  perenial  hope  of  the 
Church,  and  you,  the  Theological  students  of  the 
twentieth  century,  and  the  last  decade  of  the  nine- 
teenth, may  have  the  golden  privilege  as  well  as  respon- 
sibility, of  completing  the  conquest  of  the  world  for 
Christ.  But  depend  upon  it,  brethren,  institutions  of 
learning  will  never  do  it,  nor  logic,  nor  eloquence,  nor 
any  and  all  possible  organized  institutions  and  so- 
cieties of  men.  Nay,  without  the  Holy  Ghost  inspiring 
them,  they  may  hinder  the  Gospel  more  than  help  it. 
Witness  the  Theological  Seminaries  of  Germany  and 
other  parts  of  the  world.  Your  own  personal  exper- 
ience has  doubtless  taught  you  that  victory  over  be- 
seting  sins  is  not  insured  by  favoring  circumstances, 
nor  yet  by  dint  of  the  human  will.  Nothing  brings 
victory  in  that  warfare,  but  the  Holy  Spirit  coming  to 
our  aid.  Just  so  is  it  with  the  larger  warfare, 
between  the  Church  and  the  world.  Unless  the  Holy 


TO  THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS.  121 

Ghost  goes  forth  with  the  people  of  God,  they  are  as 
surely  defeated,  as  were  the  Israelites  when  Jehovah 
went  not  forth  with  their  armies.  What  then  is  the 
great  thing  you  need?  It  is  the  indwelling  Holy 
Spirit.  And  you  need  Him  in  richest  measure.  And 
the  burden  of  this  appeal  to  you  is  that  you  seek  His 
indwelling  and  bestowments  in  Pentecostal  fullness. 
That  you  give  the  Holy  Spirit  possession  of  the  whole 
house.  Don't  turn  Him  off  with  a  room  or  two.  Nor 
like  Israel,  rest  on  your  arms,  while  there  remain  large 
territories  of  the  land  of  promise  yet  unoccupied  and 
unsubdued.  If  you  have  read  carefully  the  considera- 
tions brought  forward  in  chapter  5th,  adduced  to  prove 
that  a  Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  like  that  bestowed 
at  Pentecost  was  designed  for  the  modern  Church  as  well 
as  the  Apostolic  in  all  essential  elements,  I  am  pur- 
suaded  you  must  believe  there  are  great  gifts  in  store 
for  God's  people,  sadly  ignored,  neglected  and  un- 
sought. But  should  you  fail  to  agree  with  us  there, 
we  shall  surely  be  at  one  in  the  admission  of  the  duty 
and  privilege  of  being  "filled  with  the  Spirit.  "  May 
the  Lord  show  you  how  much  that  implies,  and  pour 
upon  you  the  Spirit  from  on  high  till  with  David  you 
say,  "  My  cup  runneth  over !  "  Were  the  Thelogical 


122  PAEACLETOS. 

students  of  the  world  thus  to  seek  and  thus  to  find, 
what  life  and  power  would  be  imparted  to  our  Churches 
and  revivals  would  fill  the  land  ! 

Suffer  me  again  to  call  your  attention  to  that  sample- 
seeking  of  the  Spirit,  which  at  Pentecost  brought  the 
blessing  upon  the  Apostles  and  their  brethren.  Our 
Lord  was  crucified  on  Friday.  On  Sunday,  which  was 
the  second  day  of  the  passover  week,  he  arose  early  from 
the  dead.  That  was  the  day  when  the  first  sheaf  of 
the  opening  harvest  was  waived  before  the  Lord.  Lev. 
23:  11.  Fifty  days  from  that  waiving  came  the  Pass- 
over festival.  Lev.  23:  16.  We  are  told  that  after 
his  resurection,  Christ  was  seen  of  the  disciples  for  40 
days.  Acts  1 :  3.  Then  he  led  them  out  as  far  as  Bethany, 
where  he  was  parted  from  them  and  ascended  up  into 
heaven.  This  leaves  ten  days  before  the  feast  of  Pen- 
tecost. Among  his  last  words  were  these  "Behold  I 
send  the  promise  of  my  father  upon  you,  but  tarr*y 
ye  in  the  city  of  Jerusalem,  until  ye  be  endued  with 
power  from  on  high."  This  power  was  that  which  ac- 
companied the  Pentecostal  outpouring  of  the  Spirit. 
The  disciples  returned  to  Jerusalem,  and  at  once  went 
up  into  an  upper  room,  and  began  a  meeting  of  prayer 
for  the  great  blessing.  Did  it  come  at  once  ?  No  !  not 


TO  THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS.  123 

in  answer  to  the  first  prayer,  and  not  at  the  end  of  the 
first  day  of  prayer.  Will  it  come  tomorrow — the  sec- 
ond day  ?  The  Master  has  not  said.  They  pray  on 
and  talk  over  the  matter  till  the  sun  has  set,  and  still 
the  blessing  lingers.  A  third  day  of  prayer  and  con- 
ference over  the  matter  and  it  does  not  come  !  a  fourth! 
a  fifth !  a  sixth  !  a  seventh !  and  still  it  is  withheld  ! 
What  can  it  mean  ?  No  doubt  the  faith  of  some  is 
weak  and  faltering.  Perhaps  some  of  the  faint-heart- 
ed suggest  there  must  be  some  misunderstanding  of 
Christ's  words,  and  they  had  best  give  up  the  so  far 
unsuccessful  search.  But  stronger  faith  of  others  held 
them  to  the  promise.  Meantime  in  their  talk  over  the 
situation — their  small  numbers — the  power  of  their 
foes — their  personal  imperfctions — the  artifices  of  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  Devil,  all  arrayed  against 
them — more  and  more  the  sense  of  need  pressed  upon 
them,  and  more  and  more  they  could  appreciate  the 
value  of  the  gift — when  it  should  come.  They  were 
ripening  for  the  reception.  The  ground  was  being 
broken  up  and  prepared  for  the  shower  which  was 
gathering.  Thus  they  entered  on  another  week  of 
prayer.  Three  days  pass  in  it,  but  it  has  not  reached 
them  !  But  it  is  coming !  The  pressure  of  an  inward 


124  PAEACLETOS. 

importunity  gives  assurance  that  it  is  at  the  doors. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  tenth  day  they  hasten  to 
that  upper  room  and  with  one  accord  lift  up  their 
voices  to  God !  It  is  enough  !  Their  faith  has  been 
sufficiently  tried.  The  gift  comes  down  and  they  are 
all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  speak  the  word 
with  a  power  unknown  before.  Let  me  call  your  atten- 
tion specially  to  the  length  of  time  occupied  in  this 
prayer  meeting  for  this  blessing  before  it  came.  It 
was  a  long  prayer  meeting.  Few  have  been  like  it. 
Who  knows  of  one  in  the  history  of  the  modern 
Church  ?  How  puerile  beside  it,  the  usual  preparation 
for  a  revival !  Perhaps  the  long  course  of  preparation 
inaugurated  by  Rev.  B.  Fay  Mills  in  the  cities  where 
he  is  subsequently  to  hold  revival  meetings,  resembles  it; 
as  did  similar  preparatory  meetings  insisted  upon  by 
Rev.  John  T.  Avery  and  other  evangelists.  But  those 
latter  imitations  come  far  short  of  the  original  in  in- 
tensity of  purpose  and  in  the  time  actually  spent  in  fer- 
vent prayer  for  the  gift.  Yet  those  ten  days  were  the 
most  profitable  of  all  in  their  past  history.  Perhaps  of 
their  future  also.  What  changes  they  wrought  in  the 
men  and  women  who  were  there  !  Changes  in  exper- 
iences and  in  power  to  do  good  !  What  if  they  had 


TO   THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS.  125 

•faltered  and  ceased  to  pray  for  the  gift  at  the  end  of 
the  first  week?  Then  Pentecost  to  them  had  never 
come !  And  at  the  end  of  the  ninth  day  of  fervent 
seeking  and  patient  waiting,  had  they  given  it  up  as  a 
fruitless  search,  how  sad  the  failure  !  No  doubt  they 
were  tempted  to  do  so  before  the  Lord  saw  fit  to  crown 
with  glory  that  ten  days  probation  of  prayer  !  What 
an  example,  rare  and  suggestive,  our  Lord  holds  up 
before  those  who  in  the  after  ages  should  set  their 
hearts  on  the  reception  of  the  same  great  gift.  It  sug- 
gests the  holding  of  some  such  prayer  meetings  in  our 
modern  Theolological  Seminaries  for  the  like  endow- 
ment !  Conducted  aright,  I  believe  they  would  be  fol- 
lowed by  surprising  results.  If  held  once  in  a  year, 
in  all  our  Churches  and  colleges,  and  seminaries,  I  be- 
lieve this  world  would  be  essentially  evangelized,  and 
the  millennium  brought  in,  in  an  hundred  years. 

Brethren  of  the  Seminary,  Students  and  Professors, 
allow  me  to  suggest  a  program  of  topics  to  be  prayed 
over  and  considered  during  those  ten  days.  I  would 
suggest  two  daily  sessions — forenoon  and  afternoon, 
and  the  evening  spent  by  each  in  his  room  alone  with 
God,  in  private  prayer,  heart-searching,  and  meditation. 


126  PARACLETOS. 

Day  1st.  A  solemn  convocation  of  Students  and' 
Professors,  and  spent  largely  in  prayer  for  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  make  those  ten  days  blessed  and  eventful  like 
those  which  preceded  the  day  of  Pentecost.. 

Day  2nd.  The  passages  relating  to  the  Baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  in  the  Old  Testament  and  the  new,  care- 
fully read,  considered  and  prayed  over.  Very  likely  this 
to  be  satisfactory,  would  occupy  the  sessions  of  two 
days  and  perhaps  more. 

Day  3d.  Personal  experiences  and  testimony  given, 
of  answers  to  prayer,  and  helps  received  from  the 
Holy  Ghost  with  the  view  of  ascei  taining,  how  much 
larger  help  we  may  hopefully  seek  from  him,  in  these 
and  other  lines. 

Day  4th.  Personal  confessions  of  beseting  sins,  not 
yet  conquered — advice  asked  and  given — as  to  the  way 
to  victory. 

Day  5th.  Extracts  read  and  considered  relating  to 
the  baptism  of  the  Spirit,  found  in  the  biographies  of 
such  men  as  Wesley,  Finney,  Taylor,  Spurgeon,  Mad- 
ame Guion,  Tennant,  Brawnwell  and  others. 

Day  6th.  Sermons  from  preachers  who  have  definite 
views  and  experiences  relating  to  it.  , 


TO  THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS.  127 

Day  7th.  The  Spiritual  experiences  and  measures  of 
the  Spirit  a  man  must  have  to  be  an  effective  preacher  of 
the  Gospel. 

Day  8th.  What  constitutes  a  call  to  preach  the  Gospel 
and  on  what  principles  shall  one  make  choice  of  his 
field  of  labor  ? 

Day  9th.  'Revivals,  by  what  means  brought  about,  and 
how  converts  and  church  members  can  be  kept  from 
backsliding. 

Day  10th.  Review  of  the  meetings — testimonies 
given  as  to  their  value,  and  helps  received  therefrom. 

Of  course,  brethren,  you  will  regard  the  above  on]y 
as  a  rough  and  suggestive  outline,  and  to  be  varied 
as  maturer  thought  or  circumstances  may  suggest. 
What  the  writer  desires  is  that  you  in  your  seminary 
try  once,  at  least,  the  result  of  following  the  Apostolic  ex- 
ample. He  has  never  known  but  one  such,  or  nearly 
such  prayer  meeting.  And  of  that  he  will  give  an  ac- 
count as  he  remembers  it.  During  his  Theological 
course,  a  special  vacation  of  one  week  was  given  the 
students.  Some  took  a  limited  outing  and  others 
stayed  at  home.  Of  the  latter,  there  were  a  few,  who, 
dissatisfied  with  their  religious  condition,  agreed  to 


128  PAEACLETOS. 

spend  the  week  in  an  effort  to  draw  near  to ,  God  and 
seek  a  baptism  of  the  Spirit  and  an  elevation  to  a  high- 
er plane  of  holy  living.  I  think  there  were  half  a  doz- 
en or  so  of  such,  who  on  the  first  day  of  vacation, 
quietly  went  into  the  Theological  lecture  room  to  pray. 
They  were  in  earnest  and  God  met  them.  As  they 
began  te  pray,  the  Holy  Ghost  helped  them  to  a  vivid 
view  of  their  great  necessities.  And  they  prayed,  con- 
sciously aided  by  a  power  from  above,  with  an  impor- 
tuity  which  could  not  be  denied.  And  this  power  in 
prayer  fell  upon  all.  When  the  noon  bell  rang  they 
rose  and  went  out,  but  how  softly  they  walked !  In 
the  afternoon  there  were  perhaps  twenty,  who  heard  of 
the  meeting  and  were  drawn  there  by  a  mysterious 
power.  And  now  the  power  of  God  was  more  mani- 
fest still !  The  spirit  of  prayer  carried  all  before  it. 
The  next  day  the  room  was  crowded  and  mingled  with 
agonizing  prayers  and  struggles  for  deliverance,  there 
were  voices  of  joy  and  gladness,  almost  shoutings  of 
deliverance,  from  men  who  but  yesterday  were  clank- 
ing the  chains  of  sin.  I  had  been  out  some  fifteen 
miles  with  a  friend.  But  news  reached  us  of  the  great 
work  of  God  among  our  school  mates  and  I  hastened 
back,  to  see  a  sight — Pentecostal  and  astonishing !  In- 


TO   THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS.  129 

deed,  it  lacked  little  of  a  literal  repetition  of  that  noted 
day  !  For  they  were  all  of  one  accord.  We  -were  as- 
tonished at  the  unwonted  power  with  which  they  spoke 
and  praised  God  as  the  Spirit  gave  them  utterance. 
They  spoke  as  with  tongues  of  fire !  And  miracles  of 
deliverance  from  the  bondage  of  sin,  were  performed 
by  the  mighty  Spirit  which  was  there.  The  work  con- 
tinued through  the  week,  when  the  usual  studies  were 
resumed.  But  the  influence  of  that  prayer  meeting 
long  remained.  My  class  mates,  who  at  that  meeting- 
gained  deliverance  from  sins,  which  had  long  annoyed 
and  clung  tenaciously  to  them,  carried  their  credentials 
of  emancipation  all  their  days.  Two  of  them  whom  I 
now  have  in  mind,  received  the  tongue  of  fire.  Thence- 
forth they  spoke  as  men  whose  hearts  were  full.  Full 
of  love  to  God  and  zeal  for  souls.  They  have  gone 
home  now.  But  being  dead,  they  yet  speak.  Breth- 
ren of  the  seminary,  the  ten  days  prayer  meeting  over 
the  topics  suggested  is  quite  in  the  line  of  your 
studies.  The  time  thus  spent  would  not  be  thrown 
away.  It  might  bring  blessings  as  great  as  did  that 
memorable  Apostolic  prayer  meeting.  The  bare  possi- 
bility of  it,  is  an  ample  warrant  for  following  the  great 
example. 


130  PAEACLETOS. 

TO    THE    MINISTERS    OF    THE    GOSPEL. 

1st.  Brethren  :  I  have  somewhat  to  say  to  you 
— the  angels  of  the  Churches — the  embassadors  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Having  myself  been  a  preacher 
for  the  space  of  half  a  century,  I  know  some- 
what of  your  needs,  your  heart  yearnings  and 
your  trials.  Of  your  needs,  in  order  to  greatest  effi- 
ciency, that  which  I  mention  first  is  this  reception  of  a 
double  portion  of  the  Divine  Spirit.  Comparatively 
fruitless  were  the  Apostles,  though  endowed  with  mir- 
aculous powers,  until  they  received  the  Holy  Baptism 
at  Pentecost.  After  that,  a  converting  and  sanctifying 
power  attended  their  labors,  which  made  them  ten 
fold  more  effective  than  before.  So  it  was  with  Moses 
and  Joshua  and  Elijah  and  David  and  Sampson  and  all 
the  prophets  of  the  Old  Testament.  But  when  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  them  there  was  an  im- 
mense augmentation  of  their  power.  So  it  has  been 
from  Pentecost  down  to  our  era.  Men  and  women 
like  Madame  Guion,  Mrs.  Kogers,  Luther,  Wesley, 
Whitfield,  Finney,  Spurgeon,  Moody  and  Mills,  sought 
this  larger  endowment;  some  of  them,  if  not  all  with 
strong  crying  and  tears,  and  they  obtained  it,  many  of 


TO   MINISTERS  OF  THE   GOSPEL.  131 

them  with  an  experience  too  sacred  to  be  specifically 
described.  Thenceforth  their  labors  were  attended 
with  wonderful  success.  Let  me  call  your  attention  to 
a  single  passage  of  Scripture,  where  success  is  strongly 
promised.  John  7:  38,  39,  "  He  that  believeth  on  me, 
as  the  Scripture  hath  said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  flow 
rivers  of  living  water !  This  spake  he  of  the  Spirit 
which  they  that  believe  on  him  should  receive,  for  the 
Holy  Ghost  was  not  yet  given.  "  This  remarkable  pas- 
sage gives  promise  of  an  immense  influence  for  good, 
possible  to  the  believer.  Elvers  of  living  waters  flow- 
ing from  him  !  Not  a  mere  rill  of  the  water  of  life  ! 
Not  a  brook!  nor  rivulet,  but  a  river !  And  not  one 
only,  but  rivers  of  living  waters!  Brother  preacher, 
this  is  an  assurance  for  your  encouragement.  It  was 
intended  to  make  you  dissatisfied  with  small  results 
and  to  inspire  in  you  a  hunger  and  thirst  after  such  an 
additional  endowment,  that  you  should  go  and  bear 
much  fruit.  "  Herein  is  my  Father  glorified  that  ye  bear 
much  fruit.  "  But  did  Jesus  mean  that  this  immense, 
this  royal  fruit  bearing,  set  forth  under  the  figure  of 
"  rivers  of  water  "  flowing  from  the  believer,  should  at- 
tend the  steps  of  Christians  only  partially  endowed  as 
were  the  Apostles  when  these  words  were  spoken  ? 


132  PARACLETOS. 

Far  from  it !  For  inspiration  adds,  "  This  spake  he  of 
the  Spirit  which  they  should  receive  who  believe  on  Him, 
for  the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  yet  given,  because  the  Son 
of  man  was  not  yet  glorified.  "  That  is,  this  promise 
of  enlarged  usefulness  was  to  characterize  those  and 
those  only,  who  should  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the 
rich  measures  bestowed  on  the  day  of  Pentecost  !  The 
cases  of  the  Apostles,  of  Moody,  of  Millls  and  Spur- 
geon  illustrate  this.  But  on  what  condition  did  the 
Apostles  receive  the  great  endowment  which  made 
them  so  fruitful  ?  They  sought  it.  They  prayed  ten 
days  for  it.  Their  persistency  of  prayer  and  waiting 
for  it  so  long,  showed  their  earnestness  and  importunity 
and  faith  in  Him  who  had  promised  It  is  safe  to  say 
they  never  would  have  received  it,  had  that  importunity, 
that  faith  and  that  seeking  definitely  for  this  blessing 
been  wanting. 

Brethren,  have  you  thus  sought  this  endowment  of 
power  foretold  by  Joel  and  promised  by  our  Lord  ? 
Have  you  heeded  the  lesson  taught  by  the  Pentecostal 
object  lesson  God  has  hung  up  in  the  vestibule  of  the 
Christain  temple  ?  If  not,  is  it  strange  that  only  rills 
flow  from  you,  instead  of  rivers  of  living  waters,  as  was 
true  of  Christ's  own  disciples  before  Pentecost  and  its 


TO   MINISTERS  OF  THE  GOSPEL.  133 

baptism^  Heed  not  the  idea  that  this  great  gift  is  not 
de%i4rily  to  be  sought.  Go  up  into  that  upper'  room 
and  listen  to  those  earnest  prayers.  "What  is  it  they 
are  praying  for  ?  It  is  for  power.  Don't  imagine  your- 
self equipped  for  preaching  by  years  of  study  in  col- 
lege or  in  the  seminary.  No,  not  even  had  you  mir- 
aculous power  added  thereto  and  such  piety  and  meas- 
ures of  the  Spirit,  as  the  Apostles  had  before  Pentecost. 
"  Tarry  in  Jerusalem  till  ye  be  endued  with  power 
from  on  high.  "  Advice  that  higher  than  that  of  your 
Theological  Professor.  I  beseech  you  heed  it.  Like 
David  say,  "  I  will  not  give  sleep  to  mine  eyes  nor 
slumber  to  my  eyelids  till  I  have  found  a  place  for  the 
Lord,  a  habitation  for  the  God  of  Jacob" — a  place  in  my 
heart  where  his  Spirit  in  fullness  can  dwell  and  through 
me  do  all  his  pleasure.  So  shall  the  Holy  Ghost  enter 
and  his  train  shall  fill  the  temple.  Thenceforth  shall 
flow  forth  from  you  rivers  of  living  waters.  One  shall 
flow  through  your  family,  refreshing  it  and  making  it 
like  a  watered  garden  !  Another  shall  run  through 
your  Church  and  Congregation,  strengthening  Chris- 
tians, converting  sinners,  and  repressing  sin. 

Through   your    correspondence    shall   flow   another 
river.     And  through  the  elesiastical   body    with   which 


134  PARACLETOS. 

you  associate  will  flow  yet  another,  and  all  these  shall 
roll  onward,  long  after  the  man  who  set  them  in  mo- 
tion has  passed  away,  thus  bringing  to  pass  the  say- 
ing "He  that  abide th  in  me  the  same  bringeth  forth 
much  fruit." 

2nd.  The  next  thing  that  we  as  Preachers  need,  in 
order  to  success,  is  a  Church  in  like  manner  endowed 
and  cooperating  with  us.  All  successful  Evangelists 
and  winners  of  souls  to  Christ  .  have  felt  this.  But 
how  shall  we  lead  the  flock,  except  we  first,  like  Joshua, 
go  over  into  the  promised  land,  and  thus  become  quali- 
fied to  conduct  our  brethren  there  ?  So  did  Peter,  and 
John,  and  Phillip,  and  Stephen,  and  Paul,  and  thus 
were  qualified  to  lay  their  hands  on  their  brethren  and 
they  also  received  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  husbandman 
that  laboreth  must  first  be  partaker  of  the  fruits. 

3d.  Let  me  ask  you  brethren,  are  you  satisfied  with 
the  Spiritual  Condition  of  our  Churches  ?  Do  the 
meagre  results  of  preaching  and  labor  in  them,  as  re- 
ported in  the  Annual  Statistics,  satisfy  you  ?  Many  of 
our  Churches  hardly  keeping  up  with  the  depletions 
by  deaths  and  removals,  and  the  entire  denomination 
adding  on  an  average,  scarce  half  a  dozen  to  a  Church  ! 
Vast  is  the  machinery  employed,  but  small  the  output ! 


TO  MINISTERS  OF  THE  GOSPEL.  135 

Alas !  Where  is  the  success  of  the  early  Church  ? 
Where  is  Pentecost  ?  Where  the  Baptism  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  ?  To  come  nearer  home — brethren,  does  your 
personal  success  fill  out  your  ideal  of  the  power 
which  should  attend  Christ's  Embassador  ?  Do  you  feel 
that  power  fills  your  study,  fills  your  desk,  fills  your 
heart  and  the  house  of  God  where  you  preach  the  Gos- 
pel ?  Have  you  in  your  Church  Aarons  and  Hurs  whose 
hearts  follow  you  in  pastoral  visitation,  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  your  discourses  ;  and  while  you  preach,  do  you 
see  heads  bow  in  prayer  for  you,  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
may  carry  home  your  words?  Have  you  instructed 
your  people  into  their  high  privileges  under  Pentecost- 
al endowments?  Have  you  ever  preached  to  them  one 
sermon  on  the  Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  If  not,  is 
it  not  high  noon  day  for  opening  before  them  this 
great  matter  ?  Oh  !  How  we  each  need  a  rich  per- 
sonal experience  of  the  blessing  to  lead  others  there  ! 

Say  not  I  am  alone  and  have  no  helpers  to  aid  me 
in  rising  to  these  Gospel  heights  !  Quite  possibly,  even 
in  your  Churches  there  may  be  hidden  ones,  who  like 
the  two  holy  women  Moody  speaks  of  as  aiding  him  so 
much,  are  praying  for  you,  that  you  may  be  endowed 
with  the  power.  Seek  them  out  and  ask  them  to  pray 


136  PAEACLETOS. 

for  you  that  you  may  obtain  the  double  portion  and 
pray  for  you  also  when  you  preach.  No  helpers  ! 
Where  is  the  Holy  Ghost?  Where  the  arm  of  the 
Lord  ?  And  where  the  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises  ?  O  !  for  some  Elijah  at  our  side>  to  pray, 
."  Lord  open  this  man's  eyes  that  he  may  see  I  And  the 
-Lord  opened  the  young  man's  eyes  and  he  saw  and 
behold  the  whole  mountain  was  full  of  horses  and 
chariots  of  fire  round  about  Elijah ! "  With  helps 
so  mighty,  let  us  rise  to  our  privileges  and  take 
possession. 

TO  OUR    BAPTIST    BRETHREN. 

We  bear  you  record,  brethren,  that  you  have  an  es- 
pecial zeal  for  what  you  believe  to  be  the  proper  mode 
of  baptism,  and  the  proper  subjects.  But  there  are 
two  kinds  of  Baptism — that  of  water  and  that  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  The  one  a  Symbol,  the  other  is  the  Sub- 
stance. The  one  a  great  reality,  the  other  only  its 
shadow  !  Man  administers  one,  God  the  other.  The 
difference  in  their  value  and  relative  importance,  no 
tongue  can  tell. 

John  the  Baptizer  is  held  in  high  repute  by  our 
Baptist  friends.  Let  us  hear  what  he  has  to  say  on 


TO   THE  BAPTISTS.  137 

this  important  matter.  Matt.  3:  11.  "  I  indeed  bap- 
tize you  with  water  unto  repentance.  Bat  he  that, 
cometh  after  me  is  mightier  than  I,  whose  shoes  I  am  un- 
worthy to  bear.  He  shall  baptise  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and 
with  fire."  Following  Matthew,  each  of  the  other  Evan- 
gelists repeats  in  his  Gospel  this  most  emphatic  testimo- 
ny of  John,  to  the  infinitely  superior  importance  of  the 
Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  And  the  intent  of  thus 
putting  John's  words  in  all  the  Gospels  was,  that  no  one 
who  should  read  but  one  of  them,  should  ever  question 
the  superior  importance  of  being  baptised  with  the 
Holy  Ghost  over  that  of  a  baptism  of  water.  The 
Apostles,  before  Pentecost  had  been  baptised  with 
water,  and  doubtless  at  the  hands  of  Jesus  Himself. 
But  that  did  little  towards  making  them  in  heart  or 
hand  what  they  needs  must  be  to  do  the  work  before 
them.  That  was  accomplished  in  the  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  And  brethren,  the  promise  of  that  bap- 
tism, in  all  its  essential  richness, .is  to  you  and  to  your 
ch  ildren  and  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  to  as  many  as 
the  Lord  our  God  shall  call.  How  much  you  need  it 
to  sanctify  your  heart  and  life  and  to  give  you  power  in 
speech  and  prayer !  How  much  your  membership  in 
the  Church  needs  it  also  !  Yet,  how  have  you  treated 


138  PARACLETOS. 

• 

it  ?  You  have  honored  John's  baptism  ;  how  have  you 
treated  Christ  s?  You  have  preached  on  water  baptism, 
many,  many  times  !  Did  you  ever  preach  one  sermon 
on  that  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  You  have  urged  men  to  be 
immersed,  that  is,  the  body.  How  much  did  you  ever 
urge  upon  them  the  importance  of  that  great  Pente- 
costal Baptism,  in  which  the  souls  are  cleansed  and  filled 
with  all  the  fullness  of  God,  so  that  thence  onward, 
God  shall  dwell  in  them  and  walk  in  them  ?  I  will  not 
reprove  you  for  your  zeal  for  what  you  regard  as  the 
proper  mode  of  water  baptism.  But  Oh  !  this  neglect 
of  the  other !  This  practical  ignoring  and  pushing  into 
the  background,  that  which  God  intended  should  be 
foremost  and  overshadowing,  has  been  a  sin  reprehen- 
sible and  inexcusable. 

Let  me  ask  you  to  begin  a  just  reform,  by  preaching 
at  lest  three  sermons  on  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
where  you  do  one  on  the  baptism  of  water.  And  fur- 
ther, be  as  sure  that  you  and  your  brethren  are  bap- 
tised  by  the  Holy  Ghost  in  latter  day  fullness,  as  you 
are  that  you  have  been  totally  immersed  in  the  water, 
which  is  at  best  only  its  material  shadow  !  What  is 
the  shadow  to  the  substance  and  what  is  the  husk  to 
the  corn? 


TO   THE  METHODISTS.  139 


A    WORD    WITH  MY  METHODIST  BRETHREN. 

Beloved — I  am  a  Congregationalist,  naturally  such, 
and  such  by  education.  I  was  converted  in  that 
Church,  have  worked  in  its  harness  all  my  life  thus  far, 
and  expect  to  unto  the  end.  But  my  heart  is  full  of 
tender  feeling  towards  my  Methodist  brethren.  I  ad- 
mire your  strong  adhesiveness  one  to  another,  your  la- 
borious and  self-denying  preachers,  your  aggressive 
work  among  the  poor  and  helpless.  I  rejoice  in  your 
wonderful  growth,  and  at  the  bold  and  advanced  stand 
your  great  conferences  have  taken  against  the  saloon 
curse,  and  the  political  parties  which  pander  to  it.  But 
most  of  all  I  admire  your  prononced  belief  in  the  baptism 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  a  latter  day  blessing,  as  well  as 
Apostolic.  Your  honored  founder,  John  Wesley — the 
Paul  of  modern  times — who  from  Jerusalem  round 
about  to  Illyricum  fully  preached  the  Gospel,  gave  an 
emphasis  to  this  doctrine,  equalled  by  no  other  man  with- 
in the  last  1,000  years.  Honoring  this  great  feature  of 
Christ's  dispensation,  God  honored  him.  The  Holy 
Ghost,  whose  baptismal  power  he  preached,  wrought 
wonderfully  with  him.  Souls  were  converted  wherever 
he  went.  Nor  was  that  all.  In  almost  every  gathering 


140  PAEACLETOS. 

of  converts  large  enough  to  form  a  class,  there  was 
raised  up  some  one  suitable  to  be  a  class-leader.  On  him 
he  laid  his  hands  and  prayed  that  he  might  receive  the 
Holy  Ghost.  And  forth-with  he  developed  a  power  in 
counsel,  speech  and  prayer,  which  was  not  of  Earth ! 
So  in  larger  circles  of  classes,  exhortere  and  local 
preachers  were  raised  up,  who  well  supplied  the  local 
want.  Then  in  the  larger  circles  of  Churches,  itiner- 
ant preachers,  elders  and  bishops  arose,  each  annoint- 
ed  for  his  specific  work,  and  usually  wonderfully  adapt- 
ed for  it.  In  all  these  gradations  of  leadership,  the 
one  great  and  indispensable  thing  insisted  upon  by 
Wesley,  was  that  the  man  must  have  received  the  baptism 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  be  deemed  unfit  for  the  place. 
No  learning  or  power  of  oratory  was  allowed  as  a  sub- 
stitute for  this  super-natural  gift.  This  was  Apostolic. 
This  was  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  this  doctrine,  breth- 
ren, with  its  attendant  realization,  has  in  my  opinion 
been  the  source  of  your  wonderful  growth  and  pros- 
perity. But  while  your  growth  is  wonderful,  not  less 
so  in  my  estimation,  have  been  the  vast  numbers  of 
men,  who  from  obscurity  and  the  vales  of  ignorance, 
have  been  raised  up  and  endowed  with  powers  of  per- 
suasion and  eloquence,  not  unlike  that  possessed  by  the 


TO   THE  METHODISTS.  141 

primitive  Church.  Especially  have  they  been  success- 
ful in  the  great  work  of  the  Church,  that  of  convert- 
ing men.  Not  infrequently,  a  simple  class-leader,  being 
more  efficient  in  that  line  than  a  Professor  of  Theol- 
ogy !  And  indeed  knowing  more  than  he,  about  Christ 
as  a  Saviour  from  sin  and  sinning !  But  brethren,  while 
your  past  has  been  glorious,  your  future  is  dangerous- 
Suffer  a  friend  to  suggest  some  of  its  sources. 

1st.  You  are  greatly  in  danger  of  filling  your 
Churches  with  unworthy  members.  I  have  noticed 
that  in  your  conferences  a  premium  seems  to  be  of- 
fered for  the  report  of  largest  numbers  added  to  the 
Church.  So  that  he  who  presents  the  largest  list  is 
counted  worthy  of  the  most  desirable  appointments. 
I  do  not  say  this  is  universal,  but  in  my  observation  it 
has  been  so  general,  that  a  great  temptation  is  placed 
before  the  preacher,  to  report  as  large  a  list  as  pos- 
sible. Accordingly,  not  a  few  confideotly  pronounce 
those  who  came  forward  in  their  meetings  for  prayer, 
converted,  and  rush  their  names  on  the  class  books. 
And  when  the  probation  has  passed,  receive  them  into 
full  membership,  unless  something  special  turns  up 
against  them,  or  they  voluntary  withdraw.  In  pro- 
tracted meetings  I  have  held  with  niy  Methodist 


142  PARACLETOS, 

brethren,  I  have  often  been  shocked  by  the  reckless 
proclamation  as  converts,  of  people  who  had  simply 
come  forward  for  prayer  and  had  said  in  a  whisper  or 
aloud,  that  they  felt  some  degree  of  relief.  Oh !  it  is 
wicked  to  help  people  to  a  false  hope — to  encourage 
them  to  build  their  house  upon  the  sand ! 

2d.  You  are  in  danger  of  becoming  proud  and 
boastful  over  your  numbers.  Already  you  have  sur- 
passed all  other  denominations  of  Protestants  in  this 
country,  and  are  yearly  adding  enormously  to  your 
membership.  Satan  will  take  advantage  of  this  and 
tempt  you  as  he  did  David,  to  number  Israel.  I  fear 
he  is  doing  it  now.  Let  me  warn  you  against  this 
pride  of  numbers  and  may  the  Lord  preserve  in  your 
ranks  the  humility  of  your  early  days,  while  He  in- 
creases your  list  a  thousand  fold. 

3d.  Another  danger  I  must  not  fail  to  warn  you 
against,  is  that  of  denominational  selfishness.  Denomina- 
tions are  as  liable  to  be  selfish  in  their  policy  and  their 
work,  as  are  the  individuals  who  compose  them.  We 
— the  Evangelical  Christians  of  different  names  are  all 
brethren.  And  all  the  tribes  of  our  Israel  are  dear  to 
the  Lord.  And  we  are  to  love  one  another  and 
seek  each  others  prosperity  as  the  brothers  and  sisters 


TO   THE  METHODISTS.  143 

of  the  same  family.  But  when  we  become  selfish  and 
seek  to  push  our  denomination  ahead  of  all  others,  and 
delight  in  our  own  advancement,  however  it  may  af- 
fect others,  we  may  not  only  bring  reproach  upon 
Christianity,  but  offend  the  Master  also.  In  remons- 
trating some  years  since  with  a  Presiding  Elder,  for 
some  such  work  of  selfishness,  he  replied,  "  I  intend  to 
start  a  Methodist  Sabbath  school,  wherever  I  can  get 
fifteen  scholors  to  join  it.  "  "  And  Abraham  said  to 
Lot,  let  there  be  no  strife  between  me  and  thee  and 
between  my  herd-men  and  thy  herd-men,  for  we  are 
brethren!  Is  not  the  whole  land  before  thee?  If  thou 
wilt  take  the  left  hand,  then  I  will  go  to  the  right,  or 
if  thou  depart  to  the  right  hand,  then  I  will  go  to  the 
left.  " 

4th.  Another  danger  and  that  the  greatest  of  ail,  is 
that  becoming  great  and  renowned,  honored  and  re- 
spected, for  your  eloquent  orators,  your  learned  men, 
your  colleges  and  seminaries,  the  number  of  your 
houses  of  worship  and  the  vast  population  to  which 
you  minister,  that  by  a  slow  but  gradual  process,  your 
reliance  will  imperceptibly  be  transferred  from  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  these  great  forces,  as  that  by  which  you 
expect  to  advance  and  conquer.  "Jessuran  waxed  fat 


144  PAEACLETOS. 

and  kicked.  "  Prosperity  to  a  Church  is  more  danger- 
ous than  poverty  and  much  more  to  be  feared.  This 
was  the  rock  on  which  the  early  Church  was  wrecked. 
When  that  Church  was  small  in  number,  poor  in  purse, 
destitute  of  scholars  and  learned  men,  and  surrounded 
by  foes  fierce  and  implacable,  then  it  looked  upward 
with  steadfast  eye  to  the  Holy  Ghost.  On  Him  they 
depended.  They  sought  the  great  baptism  and  they 
received  it.  And  God  was  manifest  in  them,  alike  in 
prayer  meetings  and  at  the  martyrs  stake  !  These  were 
the  days  of  most  rapid  growth.  Not  because  "  the 
blood  of  the  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  the  Church, "  but 
because  the  Church  ivas  illuminated!  The  Holy  Spirit 
shone  through  it,  revealing  human  selfishness  and 
God's  salvation.  And  when  they  spoke  it  was  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  and  with  power.  But  alas  !  When  they 
had  grown  great  in  numbers,  had  built  great 
Churches,  had  schools  of  Theology  and  of  science,  and 
had  otherwise  become  renowned  and  influential,  they 
began  to  rely  on  their  earthly  power  and  less  and  less 
on  the  Spirit.  Farther  and  farther  they  wandered,  as 
less  and  less  became  their  conscious  dependence  on  the 
Spirit  of  God.  And  that,  brethren,  is  your  danger; 


TO  THE  METHODISTS.  145 

that  you  become  proud  of  your  numbers,  boastful  of 
your  schools,  your  great  men,  your  missions,  and  your 
money.  May  the  Lord  save  you  from  the  demoraliz- 
ing influences  prosperity  so  often  brings  !  May  he 
keep  you  ever  humble  ;  not  by  stripes,  but  by  loving 
and  suggestive  influences,  such  as  he  much  prefers  to 
the  rod.  Continue  to  proclaim  as  on  the  housetop, 
that  we  live  under  the  administration  of  the  Holy  Ghost ! 
that  he  is  as  ready  now  as  in  Apostolic  days  to  descend 
in  Pentecostal  power,  and  sanctify  his  people.  Let  the 
Churches  seek  the  great  blessing  as  they  did  in  the 
days  of  the  sainted  Wesley,  and  your  final  success  will 
be  assured.  Suffer  this  word  of  friendly  warning, 
brethren.  And  may  the  twentieth  century  look  down 
upon  a  sanctified  Methodist  Church,  in  every  important 
locality  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 


146  PARACLETOS. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Experiences  of     this   Baptism   testified   unto    by    eminent 

Christians. 

This  appeal  to  the  Churches  would  be  incomplete, 
were  the  writer  to  omit  in  conclusion,  the  giving  of 
samples  of  experiences  of  this  Baptism  of  the  Spirit, 
testified  unto  by  men  and  women  eminent  for  conse- 
cration and  usefulness.  We  will  first  present  that  of 
Dwight  L.  Moody,  as  given  by  him  in  a  great  revival 
meeting  in  the  City  of  Glasgow,  Scotland.  Mr.  Moody 
said  :  "I  can  myself  go  back  almost  twelve  years,  and 
remember  two  holy  women  who  used  to  come  to  my 
meetings.  It  was  delightful  to  see  them  there  !  When 
I  began  to  preach  I  could  tell  by  the  expression  of 
their  faces,  that  they  were  praying  for  me.  At  the 
close  of  the  Sabbath  evening  meeting  they  would  say 
to  me,  'We  have  been  praying  for  you/  I  said  'why 
don't  you  pray  for  the  people  ?'  They  answered,  'you 
need  the  power.'  I  need  the  power  ?  I  said  to  myself  ! 
why,  I  thought  I  had  power.  I  had  a  large  Sabbath 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCES.  147 

School  and  the  largest  evening  congregation  in  Chica- 
go. There  were  some  conversions  at  the  time.  I  was 
in  a  sense  satisfied.  But  right  along  these  two  Godly 
women  kept  praying  for  me,  and  their  earnest  talk 
about  a  'special  annointing'  set  me  to  thinking.  I 
asked  them  to  come  and  talk  with  me,  and  we  got  down 
on  our  knees.  They  poured  out  their  hearts  that  I 
might  receive  an  annointing  from  the  Holy  Spirit  ;  and 
there  arose  a  great  hunger  in  my  soul.  I  did  not 
know  what  it  was.  I  began  to  cry  as  never  before. 
The  hunger  increased.  I  was  crying  all  the  time  that 
God  would  fill  me  with  his  Spirit.  Well,  one  day  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  Oh  !  what  a  day  !  I  cannot  de- 
scribe it.  I  seldom  refer  to  it.  It  is  almost  too  sacred 
an  experience  to  name.  Paul  had  an  experience  of 
which  he  never  spoke  for  fourteen  years.  I  can  only 
say  that  God  theie  revealed  himself  to  me,  and  I  had 
such  an  experience  of  his  love,  that  I  had  to  ask  him 
to  stay  his  hand.  I  went  to  preaching  again.  The  ser- 
mons were  not  different.  I  did  not  present  any  new 
truths.  And  yet  hundreds  were  converted.  I  would  not 
now  be  placed  back  where  I  was  before  that  blessed 
experience,  if  you  would  give  me  all  of  Glasgow.  It 
would  be  but  the  small  dust  of  the  balance." 


148  PARACLETOS. 

On  another  occasion  Mr.  Moody  said,  refering  to  this 
experience,  "The  blessing  came  upon  me  suddenly  like 
a  flash  of  lightning.  For  months  I  had  been  hunger- 
ing for  this  power  of  service,  I  had  come  to  a  point 
where  I  think  I  should  have  died  if  I  had  not  got  it. 
Since  then  I  have  never  lost  the  assurance  that  I  am 
walking  in  communion  with  God,  and  I  have  a  joy  in 
his  service  which  makes  it  easy  work."  This  experi- 
ence has  a  bearing  on  the  questions — Should  this  bap- 
tism be  definitely  sought,  and  does  it  sometimes  come 
suddenly,  and  does  it  abide  now,  as  in  the  days  of 
Peter  and  Paul  ? 

REV.  B.  FAY  MILLS. 

This  distinguished  Evangelist,  whom  the  Holy  Spirit 
is  leading  from  State  to  State,  and  from  city  to 
city,  and  through  whom  he  is  working  with  wonderful 
power,  is  also  one  who  like  Moody,  and  Finney,  and 
Wesley,  and  Whitfield,  and  Peter  and  Paul,  believes  in 
a  Special  Baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  is  one,  too, 
who  like  them  sought  it,  and  as  he  believes  received  it, 
and  hence  mighty  works  da  show  forth  themselves  in 
his  labors.  In  a  letter  to  the  Author,  he  thus  alludes 
to  his  experience  "You  are  right  in  thinking  I  have 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCES.  149 

received  an  especial  Baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  had 
been  preaching  for  a  number  of  years,  and  with  con- 
siderable success,  before  I  so  much  as  realized,  what 
was  meant  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  bles- 
sing came  to  me,  as  the  result  of  the  emptying  of  my 
heart  and  life  before  God,  and  the  shuting  up  of  my- 
self to  Him,  and  a  subsequent  season  of  severe  test- 
ing. My  life  has  been  transformed  by  the  definite  ful- 
fillment of  the  promise  of  God,  in  the  joy  and  strength 
and  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

We  submit  that  the  testimony  of  such  a  man,  whose 
success  is  so  marvellous,  and  whose  praise  is  in  all  the 
Churches,  as  to  the  way  by  which  the  Lord  led  him  in- 
to the  baptism,  which  has  so  revolutionized  his  life  and 
his  labors,  should  have  especial  weight  with  all  practi- 
cal and  earnest  men. 

MISS    FEANCES    E.    WILLAED. 

We  next  give  the  testimony  of  Miss  Frances  E. 
Willard,  President  of  the  National  W.  C.  T.  U.,  and  the 
most  distinguished  Christian  woman  of  America,  if  not 
of  the  world.  This  lady  was  hopefully  converted  at 
Evanston,  111.,  in  A.  D.  1859.  For  some  six  or  seven 
years  she  lived  the  usual  halting  and  advancing — lower 


150  PAEACLETOS. 

plane  Christian  life.  Then  a  great  change  came  over 
her — an  uplift  in  experience,  in  vision  and  in  power— 
a  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost !  Thus  she  speaks  of  it 
and  thus  she  was  led  thereto.  "In  1886,  Mrs.  Bishop 
Hamline  came  to  our  village.  This  saintly  woman 
placed  in  my  hands  the  life  of  Hester  Ann  Eodgers, 
Life  of  Carvosso,  Life  of  Mrs.  Fletcher,  Wesley's  ser- 
mons on  Christaiu  Perfection  and  Mrs.  Palmer's  Guide 
to  Holiness.  My  reading  of  these  books  and  my  talks 
with  Mrs.  Hamline  deeply  impressed  me.  Soon  after 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Phebe  Palmer  came  to  Evanston  and 
held  meetings  in  our  Church.  One  evening  when  Mrs. 
Palmer  had  spoken  with  marvelous  clearness  and  power, 
she  asked  those  who  were  desirous  of  entering  into  the 
higher  Christian  life,  to  come  forward  and  kneel  at  the 
Altar.  I  and  my  mother  went  and  kneeling,  in  utter 
self  abandonment  I  consecrated  myself  anew  to  God." 
Then  there  arose  a  severe  testing,  such  as  Mr.  Mills 
alludes  to,  in  which  one  sacrifice  after  another  came 
before  her,  as  the  conditions  of  receiving  the  Gre^t 
Gift — she  longed  for.  One  after  another  were  laid  on 
the  Altar,  even  to  "  the  pretty  little  jewels "  on  her 
person.  This  done,  she  writes  :  "A  great  peace  came 
to  my  soul.  I  cannot  describe  the  deep  welling  up  of 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCES.  151 

joy  that  gradually  possessed  me.  I  was  utterly  free 
from  care.  I  was  blithe  as  a  bird  that  is  good  for 
nothing  but  to  sing.  I  did  not  ask,  '  Is  it  duty  ?  *  but 
intuitively  knew  what  to  do.  The  conscious  emotional 
presence  of  Christ,  through  the  Holy  Spirit,  held  me. 
I  ran  about  upon  his  prrands  just  from  love  !  Life  was 
a  halcyon  day!"  This  continued — without  interrup- 
tion— till  it  was  somewhat  dimmed  by  yielding  to  advice 
not  to  confess  the  gift  of  God,  in  a  new  place  to  which 
she  went  to  live,  and  where  the  doctrine  had  been 
brought  into  disrepute  by  the  strange  freaks  and 
follies  of  some  professing  the  Gift.  This  she  mourned 
over  as  a  grevious  mistake  and  a  sin,  nevertheless  she 
largely  recovered  the  lost  ground  and  still  enjoys  a 
large  measure  of  the  early  joy,  and  grace  and  power. 


REV.   EDWARD  PAYSON. 

In  the  State  of  Maine,  no  minister  has  ever  equaled 
Edward  Payson,  in  power  as  a  preacher,  or  in  religious 
influence  over  the  people.  That  he  received  this  Bap- 
tism of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  evident  from  such  records 
of  his  words  and  writings  as  follow.  In  a  letter  to  a 
friend  thus  he  writes  :  "  Were  I  to  adopt  the  figurative 


152  PARACLETOS. 

language  of  Bunyan,  I  should  date  this  letter  from  the 
Land  of  Beulah,  of  which  I  have  been  for  some  time  a 
happy  inhabitant.  I  can  find  no  words  to  describe  my 
happiness.  I  seem  swimming  in  a  river  of  pleasure, 
which  is  carrying  me  to  the  great  fountain  !  God  is 
now,  literally,  my  all  and  in  all,  and  while  He  is  present 
with  me,  no  event  can  in  the  least  diminish  my  happi- 
ness, and  were  the  whole  world  at  my  feet,  trying  to 
minister  to  my  comfort,  they  could  not  add  one  drop  to 
my  cup." 

A  similar  experience  is  described  by  President  Ed- 
wards of  a  pious  lady  whom  h6  knew.  The  Tennant 
brothers  of  New  Jersey,  have  left  behind  a  like  record  of 
their  own  experiences.  And  the  death-beds  of  ten- 
thousand  Christians  have  evinced  a  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  triumphant  over  disease,  weakness  and  pain, 
super-human,  Divine  and  semi-miraculous.  One  ques- 
tion we  wish  to  ask  the  reader  in  view  of  them,  viz: 
Is  it  not  possible  to  have  this  rich  endowment — this 
vivid  sense  of  God's  presence — this  victory  over  temp- 
tation— this  full  assurance  of  faith,  and  power  of  ut- 
terance long  before  we  reach  the  chamber  of  death  ?  We 
need  it  in  the  open  field  of  active  labor,  where  we  can 
use  it  for  the  Glory  of  God,  and  the  Salvation  of  men. 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCES.  153 

Admit  we  need  dying  grace,  more  yet  we  need  the 
grace  to  live,  and  work  for  Christ. 

We  have  the  testimony  of  several  others  at  hand, 
such  as  James  Brainard  Taylor,  Rev.  Chas.  G.  Finney, 
etc.,  but  they  accord  so  perfectly  with  those  already 
given,  that  it  seems  superfluous  to  add  them.  In  the 
mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  shall  every  word  be 
established.  We  will  add  however  some  points  on 
which  all  the  witnesses  agree — those  withheld,  and 
those  given. 

1st.  They  all  confess  the  reception  of  this  blessing, 
at  periods  considerably  distant  from  conversion.  In 
nearly  all  cases  years  after,  as  was  true  of  the  Apostles. 

2d.  That  it  did  not  come-  to  them,  till  definitely 
sought,  and  that  too,  with  strong  persistency  and  im- 
portunate prayer. 

3d.  That  its  coming  was  not  after  the  ideal  of  a 
gradual  growth,  advocated  by  many,  but  rather  after 
the  Pentecostal  pattern,  and  so  marked  by  peculiar 
experiences  that  ihey  could  not  doubt  it  was  from  God. 

4th.  They  each  confess  to  a  severe  testing  of  their 
willingness  to  do  and  suffer  for  Christ,  somewhat  like 
that  which  takes  place  at  conversion,  before  the  Spirit 
in  double  portion  came  upon  them. 


154  PAEACLETOS. 

5th.  That  with  the  blessing,  there  came  an  enlarged 
sense  of  the  Divine  presence,  a  new  faith  in  His  pow- 
er, victory  over  sinful  propensities,  courage  and  liberty 
in  declaring  God's  will,  peace,  joy,  and  an  assurance 
of  acceptance^  which  made  doubt  thenceforth  impos- 
sible. In  these  things  and  more  they  all  agree.  It 
will  hardly  do  for  Christians  lightly  to  set  aside  the 
testimony  of  these  witnesses,  backed  as  they  are  by 
Apostolic  example,  and  warranted  by  the  promises  of 
our  Lord.  Nor  is  it  safe  to  look  around  and  ask,  "Have 
any  of  the  rulers  of  the  Pharisees  had  this  experi- 
ence ?  and  gauge  our  privileges  in  this  line,  or  our 
duty  to  God,  by  attainments  common  in  the  Churches. 
It  is  to  the  Bible  we  must  go,  and  to  its  exceeding  great 
and  precious  promises,  to  learn  the  measure  of  our 
privileges  and  duties,  and  not  to  the  ever-varying 
phases  of  religious  life  and  doctrine  prevalent  in  reli- 
gious circles. 


DIVINITY  AND  PERSONALITY.  155 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

The  Divinity  and  Personality  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Since  the  foregoing  was  written  a  brother  in  the 
ministry  has  recalled  my  attention  to  the  general 
ignoring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  his  work  in  the  relig- 
ious literature  of  the  times.  He  also  claims  th#t  not 
a  few  members  of  our  churches  deny  the  personality  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  interpret  the  words  "  Holy  Spirit," 
"Comforter,"  etc.,  as  indicative  only  of  a  moral  and 
spiritual  influence  proceeding  from  the  Father  and  the 
Son.  He  suggests  that  something  more  written  on 
both  these  points  would  be  pertinent  and  profitable. 
To  the  first  matter  we  called  attention  in  the  intro- 
duction. We  will  add  here  as  a  further  striking  proof 
of  a  drift  of  the  modern  church  from  her  anchorage 
in  the  Spirit,  and  his  agency,  the  fact  that  the  Bibliotheca 
Sacra,  while  published  at  Andover  for  the  period  of 
thirty-six  years — from  1844  to  1879,  did  not  contain  a 
single  article  on  this  vastly  important  subject.  And  this 
silence  of  the  great  Theological  Quarterly  was  matched 
by  a  similar  silence  of  the  pulpit  during  all  those 


156  PARACLETOS. 

yeais,  and  has  been  to  this  day.  Is  this  because  of  the 
rapid  increase  and  extension  of  human  agencies,  and  a 
natural  absorbtion  in  them  and  dependence  on  them  ? 
Possibly.  There  is  doubtless  danger  here,  even  as 
there  is  to  the  wealthy  to  trust  in  their  riches,  and  the 
strong  to  lean  on  their  strength.  But  whatever  may 
be  the  cause  of  this  feature  of  our  modern  Church 
literature,  there  is  need  that  we  speedily  retrace  our 
steps  and  say  with  Paul,  "  /  will  not  dare  to  speak  of 
any  of  those  things,  which  Christ  hath  not  wrought  by 
me,  though  mighty  signs  and  wonders  by  the  power  of 
the  Spirit  of  God. "  The  New  Testament  from  be- 
ginning to  end,  abounds  in  exultant  records  of  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  More  than  two  hundred 
times  between  Matthew  and  Kevelation,  he  is  spoken 
of  and  His  mighty  work  in  the  early  Church.  A  like 
frequent  acknowledgement  of  Him,  is  requisite  in 
modern  Church  literature,  to  keep  the  people  from 
forgetting  Him  and  leaning  on  an  arm  of  flesh.  The 
other  matter  referred  to  by  my  friend — the  denial  of 
the  personality  of  the  IJply  Spirit  is  graver  still.  And 
the  results  of  such  a  denial,  the  writer  believes,  will  not 
be  less  disasterous  than  the  denial  of  the  Divinity  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Thus  Mr.  Spurgeon  speaks  of 


DIVINITY  AND  PERSONALITY.  157 

it  on  page  191  of  his  late  biography:  "  We  have  before 
us  the  wretched  spectacle  of  professedly  Orthodox 
Christains,  publicly  avowing  union  with  those  who 
deny  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Ghost. "  And  because 
the  English  Baptist  Union  did  this,  he  and  the 
Churches  which  he  had  planted,  withdrew  from  it  and 
became  independent.  We  will  therefore  give  this 
matter  more  lengthy-  consideration.  We  begin  with 
the  confession  of  the  unity  of  the  Divine  being  and 
nature — that  there  is  one  God  and  only  one.  This  is 
asserted  positively  and  often  in  the  Old  Testament.  It 
is  repeated  in  the  New,  and  it  is  grandly  confirmed  by 
the  unmistakeable  evidence-of  unity  of  design,  mani- 
fest in  all  the  works  of  creation.  These  two  great 
books — Creation  and  Revelation,  testify  that  God  is 
one.  With  one  voice  they  cry,  "  Hear  O  !  Israel !  The 
Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord !  " 

The  Deity  is  revealed  in  the  Bible  and  brought 
home  to  the  understanding  of  men,  under  the  names 
and  personalities  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit. 
In  each  of  these  personalities  a  special  presentation  of 
the  Divine  character  and  aid  is  given.  To  each  is  as  • 
cribed  personality  and  Divine  attributes.  No  candid 
reader  of  the  book  of  God  can  escape  the  conclusion 


158  PARACLETOS. 

that  it  reveals  God  t'o  us,  as  one  in  being  and  three 
in  personal  representation  of  Himself  to  us.  And  if 
this  is  so,  it  must  be  because  God  saw  that  such  pre- 
sentation of  Himself  to  the  human  family,  would  most 
fully  reveal  His  love  and  help  us  in  our  low  estate.  It 
would  have  been  one  of  the  easiest  things  conceivable, 
for  God  so  to  have  spoken  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  also 
of  the  Christ,  as  to  have  forestalled  and  prevented  all 
the  long  controversy  over  the  question  of  the  Trinity 
—the  Divinity  of  Christ,  and  the  personality  of  tbe 
Spirit.  To  that  end  it  was  only  necessary  to  use  words 
according  to  their  common  use  and  natural  meaning. 
But  for  some  reason  the  book  of  Inspiration  so  speaks 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  earnest  believers,  with  rare 
exceptions,  accept  Him  as  a  Person,  pray  to  Him  as 
Divine,  look  to  Him  for  help,  and  love  and  worship 
Him  as  God. 

But  our  friends  ask  for  proofs  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
is  recognized  in  the  Bible  as  a  Person,  and  more  than 
a  Divine  moral  influence.  We  cannot  enter  largely 
into  the  discussion  of  this  matter,  but  will  give  a  few 
points.  In  John  14:  1G,  Jesus  said  to  the  disciples,  "I 
will  pray  the  Father,  and  He  shall  give  you  Another 
Comforter — Paracletos,  that  He  may  abide  with  you  for- 


DIVINITY  AND  PERSONALITY.  159 

ever."  The  word  Paracletes,  translated  comforter,  is  a 
noun  in  the  masculine  gender,  and  designates  a  person, 
as  truly  as  do  the  words,  Jesus  or  Jehovah.  And  the 
promise  of  Another  Paracletos  by  implication  says  "I 
have  been  your  Comforter  hitherto,  but  now  I  am  going 
away,  but  I  will  ask  the  Father  and  He  shall  send  you 
another  Comforter,  who  will  be  my  successor,  and  He 
shall  abide  with  you  forever."  In  verse  26,  of  the 
same  Chapter  he  adds,  "But  the  Comforter,  the  Holy 
Ghost,  Whom  the  Father  will  send  in  my  name,  He  shall 
teach  you  all  things,  etc."  Here  also  is  given  the  name 
of  a  person,  and  not  of  an  influence,  and  three  times 
His  personality  is  taught  in  the  italicized  noun  and 
pronouns. 

In  the  next  Chapter,  John  15:  26,  the  same  testimony 
to  the  personality  of  the  Spirit  is  given  in  the  words, 
"But  when  the  Comforter  is  come,  Whom  I  will  send 
unto  you  from  the  Father,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth, 
which  proceedeth  from  the  Father,  He  shall  testify 
of  me." 

In  the  next  Chapter,  John  16:  7,  Jesus  said,  "It  is  ex- 
pedient for  you  that  I  go  away,  for  if  I  go  not  away, 
the  Comforter  will  not  come  unto  you  ;  But  if  I  de- 
part I  will  send  Him  unto  you,  and  when  He  is  come 


160  PARACLETOS.    ' 

He  will  reprove  the  world,  etc.  Howbeit  when  He, 
the  Spirit  of  truth  is  come,  He  will  guide  you  into  all 
truth  for  He  shall  not  speak  of  Himself,  but  whatsoever 
He  shall  hear,  that  shall  He  speak,  and  He  will  show 
you  things  to  come,  He  shall  glorify  me,  for  He  shall 
receive  of  mine  and  show  it  unto  you."  What  means 
this  repetition  of  the  personal  name  Paracletos,  and 
the  long  list  of  personal  pronouns  which  follow  in 
these  last  quotations?  How  easy  to  have  said  "it"  if 
only  an  influence,  and  not  a  person  was  meant.  And  if 
Paracletos  is  not  a  person,  what  shall  we  make  of  the 
expression,  "He  shall  not  speak  of  himself?" 

But  these  are  not  the  only  passages  of  Scripture 
which  speak  of  the  Spirit  as  a  person.  In  Acts  13:  2, 
"  As  they  ministered  to  the  Lord  and  fasted,  the  Holy 
Ghost  said,  separate  Me  Barnarbas  and  Saul,  for  the 
work,  whereunto  I  have  called  them.  "  Here  the 
Holy  Ghost  speaks,  as  a  person  and  says,  "  Separate 
Me  (or  unto  Me)  Barnabas  and  Saul,  to  the  work 
whereunto  /  have  called  them.  "  The  use  of  the  two 
personal  pronouns,  I  and  Me  and  the  act  of  speaking, 
assume  in  the  strongest  form  the  personality  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  More  emphatically  still  is  the  personality 
of  the  Spirit  declared  in  the  Baptismal  formula  which 


DIVINITY  AND  PERSONALITY.  161 

our  Lord  gave  His  disciples  in  Matt.  28: 19,  "Go  ye  there- 
fore, and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 
Here  the  personality  of  the  Spirit  is  put  on  a  par  with  that 
of  the  Father  and  the  Son.  And  here  by  direct  injunc- 
tion of»Clirist,  each  person  entering  the  visible  Church 
down  through  the  ages,  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism  is 
taught,-  in  the  most  impressive  form,  the  doctrine  of 
the  Trinity  and  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
And  let  me  ask  why,  in  such  an  hour,  in  a  rite  so  sol- 
emn and  impressive,  when  the  sensibilities  of  the  con- 
vert, like  melted  wa.x  are  so  warm  and  impressible, 
why  choose  that  occasion  for  the  use  of  language  so 
expressive  of  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Spirit '? 
Surely  it  bespeaks  the  vast  importance  of  the  doctrine- 
It  says  in  effect,  "Let  no  man  enter  the  visible  Church 
until  first  taught  that  he  has  a  personal  Father — God, 
a  Eedeemer  Jesus  Christ  the  Son,  and  a  per- 
sonal Indweller  and  Sanctifier — the  Holy  Ghost !  " 

Like  unto  this  and  additional  to  it,  is  the  Apostolic 
Benediction — "  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  Communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
be  with  you  all,  amen."  2d  Cor.  13:  14.  This  lan- 
guage also  assumes  and  proclaims  the  personality  of 


162  PAEACLETOS. 

the  Holy  Spirit,  equally  with  that  of  the  Father  and 
the  Son.  And  being  the  most  suitable  and  complete 
of  all  Biblical  forms  of  benediction  for  the  closing  of 
religious  services,  it  has  by  common  consent  been 
adopted  with  great  unamirnity  by  the  Churches  of 
Christendom.  And  thus  in  the  solemn  closing  df  each 
religious  service  down  through  the  centuries,  each 
hearer  leaves  the  house  of  God  with  words  rirfging  in 
his  ears,  which  teach  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
Words  assuring  him  as  he  goes  out  into  the  world, 
that  there  is  a  Father  above  who  loves  him,  a  Saviour 
who  died  for  his  salvation,  and  a  Holy  Spirit  who  has 
come  to  dwell  with  him  in  loving  helpfulness  and 
sympathy,  to  sanctify,  empower  and  fit  him  for  heaven. 
And  yet  again  let  me  ask,  why  this  teaching  of  the 
personality  of  the  Spirit,  thus  impressively,  in  the 
closing  words  of  each  religions  service?  The  answer 
must  be,  because  of  its  pre-eminent  importance  in  the 
Christian  system.  That  it  is  of  great  practical  impor- 
tance is  proven. 

1st.  By  observation.  Mohamedans  and  Jews  believe, 
and  strongly  assert  the  unity  of  God.  But  denying 
or  ignoring  the  personality  and  indwelling  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  as  well  as  the  Divinity  of  Christ,  the  God 


DIVINITY  AND  PEESONALITY.  163 

they  profess  to  worship  is  far  removed  from  them,  and 
their  religion  is  cold,  cheerless  and  barren  as  the 
frozen  zone.  God  is  to  them  a  God  afar  off  and  not 
nigh,  as  He  is  to  those  whose  thoughts  have  to  do  with  a 
Christ,  who  has  walked  in  very  flesh  in  our  human 
paths,  and  was  in  all  points  tempted  as  we  are,  and 
who  have  also  taken  the  Holy  Spirit  into  their  dwellings, 
and  into  their  very  bodies  and  souls  to  dwell  with  them 
all  their  days,  in  all  efficient  love  and  sympathy.  Vast  is 
the  moral  chasm  between  these  two  classes  of  believers 
in  God.  The  powerful  influence  of  the  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity,  is  what  makes  the  difference  between  the  two. 
2d.  It  is  agreeable  to  reason  also  that  the  doctrine 
of  the  Divine  personality  of  the  Spirit,  should  exert  a 
happy  and  powerful  influence  over  those  who  accept  it. 
Love  in  the  form  of  enkindled  affection  is  a  great  force, 
lying  back  of  human  willing  and  human  action.  In- 
valuable is  its  aid  in  the  moral  strife  and  in  all 
Christain  work.  But  love  attaches  itself  to  a  personal- 
ity, and  not  to  an  abstract  moral  influence.  And  that 
personality  to  affect  our  human  nature  powerfully, 
must  be  at  hand  and  not  afar  off.  The  old  adage, 
"  Out  of  sight,  out  of  mind  "  expresses  an  experience 
in  this  line  as  well  as  in  another.  With  what  exquisite 


164  PAEACLETOS. 

satisfaction,  John  speaks  of  the  preciousness  of  this 
personal  contact  he  had  with  our  Lord  !  "  That  which 
was  from  the  beginning,  which  we  have  heard,  which 
we  have  seen  with  our  eyes,  which  we  have  looked 
upon,  and  our  hands  have  handled,  of  the  word  of 
life  declare  we  unto  you.  "  1  John  1 :  1,  and  2.  So 
to  love  God  warmly  and  strongly  there  needs  to  be  a 
presentation  to  us  of  Him  as  an  indwelling  Spirit,  full 
of  sympathy  and  love,  One  with  whom  we  can  walk 
all  the  day  long  and  who  will  never  leave  or 
forsake  us.  One  ready  to  help  and  mighty  to  save. 

3d.  Experience  comes  to  our  aid  in  proof  of  this 
value  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Personality  and  indwell- 
ing of  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  is  said  in  John  14:  17,  "He 
dwelleth  with  you  and  shall  be  in  you."  Many  other 
passages  assert  His  constant  attendance  upon  our  steps, 
His  fellowship  with  us,  and  his  occupation  of  the  body 
itself,  making  it  his  holy  Temple.  This  wonderful 
truth  accepted  by  faith,  and  confirmed  by  helps  re- 
ceived from  an  unseen  hand,  gives  the  Christian  vic- 
tory over  temptations  of  Satan,  over  fleshly  impulses, 
over  the  world,  and  all  the  power  of  the  enemy.  Be- 
cause an  Almighty  personal  friend  is  here  by  his  xzWe?, 
and  in  his  heart.  David  said  "I  foresaw  the  Lord  al- 


DIVINITY  AND  PERSONALITY.  165 

ways  before  my  face,  for  he  is  on  my  right  hand  that 
I  should  not  be  moved."  This  doctrine  of  the  person- 
ality of  the  Holy  Spirit,  his  indwelling,  his  sympathy, 
his  help  in  every  time  of  need,  is  too  precious  and  too 
important  to  be  left  out  of  the  volume  of  revealed- 
truth.  Nor  can  it  be  ignored  or  underrated,  except  at 
the  expense  of  vast  spiritual  disaster,  if  not  of  spirit- 
ual death.  Finally,  the  doctrine  of  the  personality, 
of  the  Spirit  receives  its  complete  and  satisfactory 
demonstration  only  in  the  blessed  Baptism  of  which 
we  have  been  speaking.  There  is  a  theoretic  accept- 
ance of  Chirst  as  a  Divine  personage.  But  in  it  we 
no  more  appreciate  Him,  than  we  do  a  man  of  whom 
we  have  only  seen  his  shadow.  But  beyond  this  there 
is  an  experimental  revelation  of  the  God-Man  to  the 
soul,  given  to  us  by  the  Spirit  and  by  Him  alone. 
Paul  speaks  of  this  latter  when  he  says,  "No  man  can 
say  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 
So  also  when  he  says  "But  when  it  pleased  God  to  re- 
veal his  son  in  me."  So  when  Peter  said  to  Jesus.  '-Thou 
art  the  Christ!"  The  Master  replied,  "Flesh  and  blood 
hath  not  revealed  it  to  thee  but  my  Father  only."  In 
like  manner  there  is  a  theoretic  acceptance  "of  the  per- 
sonality of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  beyond  this  an  ex-peri- 


166  PAEACLETOS. 

mental  acquaintance  with  him,  demonstrative,  realistic, 
delightful,  helpful  and  personal.  As  truly  personal  to 
us  as  is  a  father,  mother  or  a  human  friend.  In  a  let- 
ter before  me  a  lady  of  eminence,  thus  speaks  of  an 
experience  in  this  line.  "Sometimes  my  communion  is 
with  the  Father.  Then  with  the  Son.  At  other  times 
with  the  Third  Person  in  the  Adorable  Trinity.  "An- 
other writer  says,  "In  my  early  Christian  life,  Jesus, 
was  the  Central  Divine  Personage  around  whom  my 
love  and  thoughts  spontaneously  clustered.  As  a  rule, 
my  prayers  began  with  the  words,  Blessed  Jesus  !  After 
a  time  so  was  the  Fatherhood  of  God  revealed,  that 
the  beginning  of  my  prayer  was  changed  to  Our  Fath- 
er !  But  when  at  length  I  received  the  holy  Baptism, 
then  God  was  revealed  in  the  personality  and  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  He  filled  my  heart,  controlled  my  life, 
and  became  the  subject  of  adoration  and  largest 
thought."  We  think  this  was  true  of  the  Apostles. 
Doubtless  their  first  worship  was  of  the  Father  God. 
At  length  Jesus,  the  Messiah,  was  so  revealed  to  them, 
that  they  held  him  by  the  feet  and  worshipped  him, 
and  like  Thomas  exclaimed  "My  Lord  and  My  God." 
Afterward  came  the  Holy  Ghost  at  Pentecost,  and 
filled  all  the  house  where  they  were  sitting,  and 


DIVINITY  AND  PERSONALITY.  167 

thence  onward,  their  frequent  mention  of  His  name, 
their  exultant  experiences  of  His  work,  His  holy 
companionship  and  power,  show  a  new  revelation  to 
them  of  his  Divine  nature  and  personality.  Our  hymn 
books  also,  the  richest  depositories  of  religious  expe- 
rience, and  of  a  correct  and  spiritual  theology,  bring 
out  vividly,  the  same  experimental  apprehension  of 
God,  in  these  three-fold  relations  of  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Ghost.  As  a  sample  of  the  hymns  referred  to, 
read  the  following  from  Chas.  Wesley: 

"Come  thou  Almighty  King, 
Help  us  Thy  name  to  sinar, 

Help  us  to  praise, 
Father  all  glorious, 
O'er  all  victorious, 
Come  and  reign  over  us. 

Ancient  of  days. 

Come  thou  Incarnate  Word, 
Gird  on  Thy  mighty  sword, 

Our  prayers  attend ; 
Come  and  Thy  people  bless, 
And  give  Thy  word  success, 
Spirit  of  holiness, 

On  us  descend. 


168  PAEACLETOS. 

Come  Holy  Comforter, 
Thy  sacred  witness  hear, 

In  this  glad  hour; 
Thou  who  Almighty  art, 
Now  rule  in  every  heart, 
And  ne'er  from  us  depart, 

Spirit  of  power. 

To  Thee,  G-reat  One  in.  Three, 
The  highest  praises  be, 

Hence  evermore; 
His  sovereign  Majesty, 
May  we  in  glory  see, 
And  to  eternity, 

Love  and  adore!" 

This  tri-personality  of  God — then,  is  an  experience, 
as  well  as  a  doctrine  of  Theology.  And  the  aim  of  the 
doctrine  was  to  lead  to  the  experience,  as  was  the  rev- 
elation of  a  heaven,  to  lead  us  there. 

In  closing  the  discussion  of  this  great  topic,  permit 
the  writer  to  ask,  has  it  not  been  a  serious  fault  of  most 
writers  upon  the  Trinity,  that  they  have  largely  over- 
looked its  practical  and  experimental  influence  upon  our 
race  ?  Have  they  paused  before  the  startling  announce- 
ment, of  a  Trinity  and  a  Unity  in  the  God-Head,  and 
sought  after  some  great  practical  reason  therefor  ? — 


DIVINITY  AND  PERSONALITY.  169 

Some  want  in  our  human  conditions  which  made  it  a 
necessity  that  God  should  so  reveal  Himself  to  us  ? 
Suffer  us  also  to  entreat  our  readers  to  give  themselves 
no  rest,  till  they  have  each  personally  gone  to  these 
three  gates  of  approach  unto  God,  and  have  there 
been  taught  in  a  blessed  experience,  why  these 
three  gates  were  made  and  mankind  invited  to  come 
unto  God  through  them  ?  The  Bible  is  a  costly  book. 
There  is  a  preciousness  in  all  its  doctrines  beyond  the 
power  of  human  estimation.  They  have  all  a  practical 
value,  as  well  as  a  theoretical  beauty  and  consistency. 
May  the  Lord  teach  as  in  a  rich  experience — the  intent 
find  value  of  the  One  we  have  been  considering. 


170  PARACLETOS. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Final  Words  of   Counsel. 

The  earnest  desire  of  the  writer,  that  this  treatise 
should  be  helpful,  especially  to  such  as  in  laying  down 
the  book  shall  take  up  the  purpose,  to  start  forthwith 
for  the  King's  highway  of  holiness,  with  intent  to  walk 
thereon,  even  to  the  City  of  God,  leads  him  to  add  an 
additional  chapter  of  more  specific  directions  pointing 
out  the  way.  To  men  and  women  of  this  class  he 
would  say. 

1st.  Let  it  be  a  settled  sentiment  with  you,  that  there 
is  such  a  highway  of  holiness,  cast  up  by  the  Lord,  on 
which  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  may  return  and  come 
to  Zion — a  Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  powerful  and 
Pentecostal — an  establishment  in  holy  living,  not  sub- 
ject to  the  interruptions  and  vacillations,  which  usually 
characterize  the  first  stages  of  Christian  life. 

2d.  That  this  privilege  of  walking  on  the  King's 
High-Way  is  offered  to  you  personally  ;  as  much  so,  as 
if  your  individual  name  were  attached  to  the  promises 
relating  thereto.  "Ho !  every  one  that  thirsts  come  ye  to 


FINAL    WOEDS    OF  COUNSEL.  171 

the  waters  !  And  lie  that  hath  no  money  come  !  buy 
wine  and  milk  without  money  and  without  price  !"  "On 
that  last  day— the  great  day  of  the  feast — Jesus  stood 
and  cried,  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto 
me  and  drink  !  And  he  that  believeth  on  me  as  the 
Scripture  hath  said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of 
living  water.  This  spoke  he  of  the  Spirit,  which  they  that 
believe  on  him  should  receive,  for  the  Holy  Ghost  was 
not  yet  given."  This  Special  Gift,  the  Pentecostal  Bap- 
tism, is  offered  to  any  man  who  thirsts.  It  is  offered 
in  abundance — in  rivers !"  It  is  offered  to  you  no  mat- 
ter what  your  circumstances  or  history. 

3d.  The  difficulties  in  the  way  of  the  attainment  of 
this  gift  of  grace,  are  far  from  being  insuperable.  God 
longs  to  put  us  all  in  possession  of  it.  He  has  cast  up 
a  high  way  to  it.  Relays  of  help  are  at  every  point  of 
need.  The  blind  need  not  miss  the  road,  nor  the 
lame  stumble  upon  it.  It  will  grieve  the  Father  if 
any  of  us  miss  it,  and  the  Saviour  will  weep  over  our 
failure,  as  once  he  wept  over  Jerusalem,  saying,  Oh  ! 
Jerusalem,  Jerusalem  !  And  the  Holy  Spirit  too  will 
be  grieved  if  we  will  not  let  Him  lead  us  there.  We 
shall  all  admit  this,  and  the  admission  involves  the 
assurance  that  the  terms  of  acquisition  must  be  com- 


172  PARACLETOS. 

pliable  and  reasonable;  as  reasonable  as  infinite  wis- 
dom and  love  could  make  them.  The  yoke  must  be 
easy  and  the  burden  light. 

There  is  an  easy  way  and  a  hard  way  of  doing  duty. 
The  easy  way  is  the  way  of  faith,  where  distrusting 
ourselves.,  we  look  to  God  for  help  and  lean  on  His 
strong  arm.  It  is  then  and  then  only,  that  we  run  and 
are  not  weary,  and  walk  and  not  faint.  What  mul- 
titudes testify  to  this  !  "  For  what  the  low  could  not 
do  in  that  it  was  weak  through  the  flesh  " — this  the 
Son  of  God  enables  us  to  do,  "that  the  righteous- 
ness of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk 
not  after  the  flesh  but  after  the  Spirit.  "  The  hard 
way  on  the  other  hand,  is  that  in  which  we  strive  to 
walk  alone,  and  stumble  at  every  step !  Giving  our- 
selves credit  for  the  grace  of  humility,  we  think  our- 
selves unworthy — that  the  Lord  should  come  to  our 
aid  where  we  are  !  No !  But  we  must  hobble  on  and  on, 
till  we  reach  a  place  over  yonder,  when  we  hope  to 
meet  the  host  of  God,  and  be  escorted  by  it  into  the 
land  of  Beulah  !  Alas  !  What  a  mistake  !  Seeker  of 
salvation,  you  need  help  to  begin  !  To  take  the  first 
step  !  "  Without  Me  you  can  do  nothing.  "  But  you 
can  do  all  things  through  Christ  who  strengthened 


FINAL    WORDS    OF  COUNSEL.  173 

you !  The  easy  way  then  is  to  lift  up  your  hand  to 
God  where  you  are  and  cry,  "  Lord  help  me  to  get  up, 
and  help  me  walk,  and  lead  me  on  forever  more  !"  And 
if  you  will  give  a  decent  credit  to  His  infinite  gener- 
osity and  interest  in  you — if  you  will  believe  and  fol  • 
low  His  direction,  He  will  guide  you  step  by  step  and 
make  your  life  a  joy  and  triumph  !  Three  things  only 
are  needful,  consecration,  faith,  and  the  help  of  One 
Mighty  to  save  ! 

4th.  It  need  not  take  a  long  time  to  gain  this  holy 
Baptism.  We  are  well  aware  that  many  who  have  ob- 
tained this  annointing  and  whose  experiences  have  been 
published,  have  told  us  of  the  long  and  tedious  road 
they  traveled,  before  they  reached  the  promised  land. 
It  reminds  us  of  Israel's  tortuous  journeyings  and  of 
the  forty  years  in  the  wilderness.  We  are  convinced 
that  the  idea  thence  imparted,  that  such  delay  and 
long  seeking  is  necessary — is  misleading.  Bible  exam- 
ples, it  is  safer  to  follow  and  they  show  a  shorter  road. 
The  longest  examples  of  seeking  the  Bible  gives,  is 
that  of  the  Apostles,  in  the  ten  days  prayer  meeting. 
With  Saul  of  Tarsus  there  were  evidently  only  three  days 
before  he  received  his  sight  and  the  Gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Then  he  began  his  life  work — boldly  preach- 


174  PAEACLETOS. 

ing  Christ  in  the  Synagogues  of  Damascus.  Short  was 
the  introduction  of  the  Samaritan  Christians,  the  gen- 
tile Cornelious,  and  those  of  Epehsus  and  elsewhere 
into  the  fullness  of  baptismal  influences  and  gracious 
gifts. 

An  eminent  Theologian,  a  man  of  great  abilities  and 
learning,  and  a  personal  friend  of  the  writer,  makes  a 
sad  mistake,  we  think,  when  he  writes  as  follows  : 

"  Those  who  have  attained  a  sudden  enlargement 
and  elevation  of  soul,  often  undertake  to  give  instruc- 
tions by  which  others  may  be  saved  the  long  conflict 
which  they  endured,  and  be  enabled  to  enter  at  once 
upon  the  blessedness  of  victory,  as  if  there  were  some 
short  cut  for  the  pilgrim  to  the  Delectable  Mountains, 
without  his  passing  through  the  Slough  of  Despond  and 
the  Valley  of  Humiliation.  "  We  take  direct  issue  with 
our  friend,  and  deny  that  there  is  any  necessity  for 
Christians  getting  into  the  slough  of  despond — floun- 
dering there  and  sadly  besmirching  their  garments  and 
person  !  By  "  Slough  of  Despond,  "  is  meant  a  state 
of  discouragement,  unbelief  and  semi-despair,  like  that 
of  unbelieving  Israel,  when  they  murmured  against 
God  and  said,  "  We  are  not  able  to  go  up  and  possess 
the  Land !  "  That  was  Israel's  Slough  of  Despond. 


FINAL    WOBDS    OF  COUNSEL.  175 

But  it  was  recorded  not  for  our  imitation,  but  for  our 
warning,  to  bid  us  beware  of  getting  into  it.  To 
teach  us  how  senseless  it  is  and  how  wicked!  Indeed 
we  affirm,  there  is  no  need  of  it.  It  is  unwarranted 
and  forbidden  by  the  Mighty  Leader,  who  has  taken 
us  by  the  hand,  saying,  "Fear  not  for  I  am  with  thee! 
be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God !  "  "Be  strong 
and  of  good  courage  !  Be  not  dismayed  for  the  Lord 
thy  God  is  with  thee  whithersoever  thou  goest !  "  We 
don't  believe  Bunyan  intended  to  teach  by  this  figure 
ivhat  ought  to  be,  or  must  be,  but  only  what  often  is,  on 
account  of  our  sinful  weakness  and  unbelief.  But  if 
he  did  mean  that  we  ought  to  go  through  the  slough 
and  must,  we  take  issue  with  him  and  declare  that, 
from  the  beginning  of  the  Bible  to  the  end,  there  is 
not  one  intimation  that  in  seeking  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  its  highest  gifts  and  blessings,  we  must 
pass  through  a  period  of  doubt,  discouragement,  des- 
pondency— a  slough  of  despond  and  almost  hopeless 
despair!  No!  No!  A  decent  faith  in  God  will  lead 
us  clear  of  it  and  through  a  shorter  cut  into  the  de- 
lectable mountains!  Sloughs  of  despond  are  hateful 
places.  God  don't  want  us  to  go  there  or  get  into 
them.  The  devil  does.  Who  goes  there  takes,  like 


176  PAEACLETOS. 

Israel,  the  long  road  and  the  wrong  one.  Like  Israel 
at  Barnea,  one  day  of  travel  in  faith  and  Holy  courage 
will  carry  us  over  the  border,  quite  within  sight  of 
Bashan  and  Pisgah. 

But  who  are  so  well  qualified  to  give  an  opinion  re- 
garding the  short  or  longer  routes  as  those  who  have 
been  over  them,  took  the  longer  way  and  now  see  the 
mistakes  they  made?  Surely  there  was  a  shorter  cut 
for  Israel,than  that  they  actually  took  up  into  Canaan. 
They  might  have  gone  up  by  the  way  Jacob  and 
his  sons  went  down  into  Egypt,  or  by  some  other 
route  west  of  it  through  the  Philistine  country.  They 
ought  to  have  taken  one  of  them.  It  would  not  have 
taken  them  more  than  ten  days  of  travel.  A. 
miserable  want  of  courage  and  a  wicked  unbelief  alone 
made  it  necessary  for  them  to  take  the  long  route. 
Hear  what  God  says,  "And  it  came  to  pass,  that  when 
Pharaoh  let  the  people  go,  that  God  led  them  not 
through  the  way  of  Philistines  though  that  was  near, 
for  God  said,  "Lest  peradventure  the  people  repent 
when  they  see  war  and  return  to  Egypt!"  Sa  also  after 
they  had  crossed  an  arm  of  the  Red  Sea,  they  might 
then  in  one  short  year,  have  gone  to  Sinai  and  received 
the  law,  made  the  journey  back,  and  have  gone  up  into 


FINAL    WORDS    OF  COUNSEL.  177 

Canaan  over  its  south-east  border.  And  when  they  came 
to  Kadesh-Barnea  on  the  border  of  the  Holy  Land,  the 
short  cut  or  march  of  one  day,  would  have  carried 
them  within  the  sacred  inclosure.  But  they  took  it  not! 
They  were  cowards.  They  had  no  faith.  And  though 
urged  and  entreated  by  Joshua,  Caleb,  Moses  and  the 
Lord  to  take  the  short  cut,  they  would  not  but  turned 
back  into  the  hateful  desert,  and  floundered  about  in 
its  sloughs  of  despond  for  forty  years.  Teacher  of  - 
Theology — don't  tell  us  we  must  follow  that  bad  ex- 
ample! There  is  surely  a  shorter  road.  At  our 
very  door  stands  the  Holy  Sanctifier,  saying  so  af- 
fectionately, "  Behold  I  stand  at  the  door  and 
knock!  If  any  man  hear  my  voice  and  will  open 
the  door  I  will  come  in  to  him  and  sup  with  him  and 
he  with  Me.  "  This  idea  of  a  long  waiting  before  we 
may  hope  to  have  the  joyful  reign  of  God  within  is  like 
the  long  since  exploded  teaching  that  the  sinner  must 
go  through  a  long  period  of  penitent  seeking,  convic- 
tion and  almost  despair  before  God  would  receive  him  ! 
Neither  of  them  find  their  warrant  in  Bible  prom- 
ises or  examples.  On  the  contrary  we  can't  come  too 
quickly  to  our  Father's  arms.  Every  moment  we  stay 
away  will  grieve  Him.  Surely  there  is  a  short  cut  to  a 


178  PARACLETOS. 

place  of  safety    and   of   help.      Now    is    the    accepted 
time  !      To-day  is  the  day  of  Salvation  !  " 

5th.  Seek  not  after  a  sign.  Jesus  condemned  the 
Jews  for  doing  so,  And  the  Spirit  has  frowned  upon 
many  a  one  since  for  the  same  thing.  What  we  mean 
is  this,  when  you  have  consecrated  yourself  to  God 
and  all  you  have,  carefully,  deliberately  and  as  best 
you  know  how  to  do,  and  have  asked  Him  to  put  you 
in  any  place  and  set  you  at  any  work  He  sees  fit,  and 
have  .asked  the  Holy  Spirit  now  to  come  and  take  full 
possession  and  direction,  then  take  it  home  to  your 
heart  as  an  accepted  fact,  that  He  has  accepted  the  of- 
fering and  will  from  this  moment,  lead  you  forward  in 
the  wisest  path.  Believe  it  not  on  account  of  any 
special  feeling.  But  because  of  His  love  and  his  word. 
In  after  life,  you  will  often  ask  for  help  and  go  for- 
ward in  the  discharge  of  duty,  with  no  special  feeling 
indicating  God's  approval.  You  might  as  well  begin  in 
this  way,  relying  on  the  naked  word  of  God  and  your 
conscious  consecration  of  all  to  Him.  Should  the 
question  arise — whether  you  have  really  laid  all  on 
God's  Altar,  you  can  quietly  ask  the  Spirit  to  show 
what  is  withheld,  'that  you  may  bring  it  also,  and  you 
may  rest  assured  he  will  do  so.  For  it  cannot  be  that 


FINAL    WOEDS    OF  COUNSEL.  179 

He  will  allow  one  to  be  deceived  on  a  point  so  impor- 
tant, who  comes  to  Him  for  light.  So  would  not  a 
loving  parent  do.  Paul  says,  "  If  in  anything  ye  be 
otherwise  minded,  God  shall  reveal  even  this  to  you.  " 

6th.  After  the  consecration  and  the  appropriating 
faith,  there  often  comes  a  brief  period  of  testing  the 
thoroughness  of  the  choice  we  have  made.  Don't  be 
alarmed.  "Think  it  not  strange  concerning  the  fiery 
trial  which  is  to  try  you  as  if  some  strange  thing  had 
happened  to  you,  knowing  that  the  same  afflictions  are 
accomplished  in  your  brethren  in  the  world."  Rather 
receive  it  as  a  token  that  God  has  heard  your  prayer 
and  has  come  to  ratify  the  covenant  with  you.  When 
God  would  exalt  Abram,  and  give  him  the  new  name 
of  Abraham,  he  led  him  through  the  test  of  offering 
up  his  only  son ! 

7th.  Having  entered  upon,  the  high  road  to  holiness 
and  victory,  in  your  upward  reaching  after  still  larger 
endowments  and  power,  do  not  forget  to  render  thanks 
to  God  continually,  for  the  gifts  already  received. 
There  will  remain  behind,  the  great  blessings  of  for- 
giveness of  a  life  of  sin,  find  deliverance  from  Satan's 
power.  Whatever  else  you  lack  or  think  you  lack, 
never  cease  to  thank  God  for  these.  The  best  prepara- 


180  PARACLETOS. 

tion  for  future  blessings,  is  an  appreciation  and  thank- 
fulness for  those  already  granted. 

8th.  Do  not  fail  on  all  suitable  occasions  to  confess 
what  the  Lord  has  done  for  your  soul.  Such  confes- 
sion is  at  once  due  to  God — will  be  helpful  to  others 
and  give  you  great  boldness  in  the  faith. 

We  know  not  how  more  fittingly  to  close  this  appeal 
for  higher  and  holier  living  in  our  ministry  and 
Churches,  than  by  citing  two  passages  of  Scripture; 
one  from  Isaiah  and  one  from  a  discourse  of  our  Sa- 
vior: "And  a  highway  shall  be  there,  and  a  way,  and 
it  shall  be  called  The  Way  of  Holiness  ;  the  unclean 
shall  not  pass  over  it  :  but  it  shall  be  for  those  ;  the 
way-faring  men — though  fools  shall  not  err  therein. 
No  lion  shall  be  there,  nor  any  ravenous  beast  shall  go 
up  thereon — it  shall  not  be  found  there  ;  but  the  re- 
deemed shall  walk  there,  and  the  ransomed  of  the 
Lord  shall  return  and  come  to  Zion  with  songs  and 
everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads."  Isaiah,  35:  8,  10. 

"In  that  last  day,  the  great  day  of  the  feast,  Jesus  stood 
and  cried:  If  any  man  thirst  let  him  come  unto  me  and 
drink !  He  that  believeth  on  me,  as  the  Sci  ipture  hath 
said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water. 
But  this  spake  he  of  the  Spirit  which  they  that  believe 


FINAL    WORDS    OF  COUNSEL.  I§1 

on  him  should  receive,  for  the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  yet 
given  because  that  Jesus  was  not  yet  glorified."  John, 
7:  37,  40. 

Holy  Spirit  !  faithful  guide,  ever  near  the  Christian's 

side, 

Gently  lead  us  by  the  hand,  pilgrims  in  a  desert  land  ;  ;  , 
Whispering  softly  wanderer  come,  follow  Me,  I'll  guide 

thee  home, 
Weary  souls,  fore'er  rejoice,  while  they  hear  thy  sweetest 

voice . 

Ever  present,  truest  friend  !  ever  near  thine  aid  to  lend, 
Leave  us  not  to  doubt  and  fear,  groping  on  in  darkness 

drear ; 
When  the  storms  are  raging  sore,  hearts  grow  faint  and 

hopes  give  o'er, 
Whispering  softly,  wanderer  come,  follow  Me,  I'll  guide 

thee  home. 

When  the  days  of  life  shall  cease,  waiting  still  for  sweet 
release, 

Nothing  left  but  heaven  and  prayer,  wondering  if  our 
name  is  there ; 

Wading  deep  the  dismal  flood,  pleading  nought  but  Je- 
sus' blood, 

Whispering  softly,  wanderer  come,  follow  Me,  I'll  guide 
thee  home. 


182  PAEACLETOS. 


A  CLOSING  PKAYER. 

Before   we  part  will  the  reader  unite  with  the  writer 
in  the  following  prayer  ? 

Heavenly  Father !  in  laying  down  this  book,  we  look 
upward  to  Thee  and  ask,  that  if  on  its  pages  there  is  a 
message  from  the  Lord  for  us,  that  we  may  not  fail  to 
hear  and  heed  it.  If  in  the  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises  of  Thy  word,  there  are  measures  of  Grace  and 
Gospel  gifts  not  yet  properly  sought  by  us,  and  there- 
fore not  received,  help  us  without  delay  to  rise  up  and 
take  possession — if  before  each  of  us  there  are  great 
possibilities  of  usefulness.  If  from  us  may  flow  rivers 
of  living  water,  suffer  us  not  to  rest  content,  till  the 
possibility  has  become  an  actuality,  and  the  promise  of 
Jesus  is  in  our  case  fulfilled.  We  mourn  our  unfruit- 
fullness,  and  that  we  have  wrought  so  small  deliver- 
ance in  the  earth.  Pass  over  the  barren  past,  we  pray 
Thee,  and  in  mercy  forgive.  Touch  our  hearts,  Thou 
gentle  Spirit,  and  create  a  hunger  there,  that  shall 
grow  more  and  more  intense,  till  Thou  shalt  enter 


FINAL    WORDS    OF  COUNSEL.  183 

them  with  Pentecostal  gifts,  and  fill  us  with  all  the 
fullness  of  God !  Enlarge  our  vision  of  Thy  plan  of 
Grace.  Increase  our  faith,  till  like  Elisha  after  he  had 
received  the  double  portion,  we  shall  see  the  moun- 
tains around  us,  full  of  horses  and  chariots  of  fire,  sent, 
to  help  and  defend  us,  from  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 
In  the  Great  Redeemer's  name. 

Amen  and  Amen. 


THE  END. 


ERRATUM:— On  page  19,  second  line,  the  word   "kala5 
should  read  "kaline." 


m 


YC   15792 

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